Crowds turn out across Harrogate district as BBC stars launch 80-mile Push for Pudsey challenge
‘We've had amazing support. Thank you to everyone who has come out. It's such a great turnout here too, so thank you.’
Crowds lined the streets of the Harrogate district today as BBC Look North presenter Amy Garcia and fundraiser Lindsey Burrow launched their gruelling 80-mile ‘Push for Pudsey’ challenge.
The inspiring duo set off from a packed Ripon Market Square this morning, supported by Ripon BID, civic dignitaries, and hundreds of well-wishers.
Pushing the iconic BBC Look North red sofa on a heavy, specially adapted wheeled trailer, they are taking on the demanding five-day trek across Yorkshire to raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need.
For Lindsey Burrow, the widow of Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, who passed away from motor neurone disease in June 2024, the grueling physical event marks the latest chapter in an ongoing fundraising legacy that continues to inspire the nation.
The Harrogate Advertiser caught up with the pair in Ripley at around 2.15pm, as they made their way through the opening 20-mile leg, cheered on by a huge show of community support.
Scores of local residents lined the cobblestones, while pupils from Ripley Endowed Church of England Primary School turned out in force.
Wearing Pudsey ears and waving hand-made banners, the schoolchildren cheered at the top of their lungs as the heavy red sofa entered the village, providing a massive emotional boost to the pair.
Speaking to the Harrogate Advertiser about the scale of the journey and the warm welcome, Lindsey Burrow said: "It's day one, we set ourselves a challenge of walking five days across Yorkshire pushing the famous red sofa.
“We've had shoes off, we've been wet, we've been off-road.
"We've had amazing support. Thank you to everyone who has come out. It's such a great turnout here too, so thank you."
Reflecting on a dramatic opening morning and outlining the remainder of day one, Amy Garcia added: "We are doing alright. The first four miles were a breeze and we were about half-an-hour ahead of schedule. We had people running down the street saying 'you're too early!' so we thought 'this is going to be easy'.
"The last six miles have been quite tricky, we ended up getting stuck in a ford.
“I feel quite sweaty now, the legs are feeling it a little bit. They are a bit wobbly but we are still holding up.
“We are halfway through day one, so we just have to pace ourselves. I guess what's driving us as mums is Children in Need and raising money for such a brilliant charity.
"We move from here to Harrogate and then we will do Look North live into Harrogate and then we will go on into the night to Knaresborough. We hope to get there around 8pm if it all goes to plan."
Over the next four days, the 80-mile route will take in some challenging terrain, including the steep climb over Holme Moss, before finishing in Wakefield on Friday evening.
You can follow Amy and Lindsey’s progress using the live tracker, find out more about the challenge and donate via the BBC Children in Need website.