Pedal for Pudsey challenge kicks off in Plymouth

Pudsey puts his paws to the pedals with help of DFS employees to cycle sofa rickshaw over 400 miles in support of the retailers’ fundraising drive for BBC Children in Need

Staff from DFS in Plymouth used their pedal power to complete a gruelling cycling challenge, as part of the furniture retailer’s endeavour to raise £1million for BBC Children in Need this year.

Karen Badcoe and Dave Hillion joined Pudsey to complete the 1st leg of the DFS ‘Pedal for Pudsey’ challenge which saw them cycle a specially constructed rickshaw mounted with a two-seater sofa from their store in Plymouth to Smeaton’s Tower before setting off on the rest of the leg.

Stopping off at over 40 towns and cities across the UK, the Pedal for Pudsey challenge will cover more than 400 miles and involve over 40 DFS employees. The challenge is the third and final instalment of the furniture retailers’ ‘Extreme Sofa Challenge Series’ which has seen DFS employees go the extra mile with some hair raising fundraising activity to help raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need’s 2013 appeal.

Karen Badcoe commented: “It’s been such a fantastic day. It was really tough, but with Pudsey at the helm we had a lot of fun along the way! I feel very proud to help raise money for BBC Children in Need, it’s a fantastic organisation that does so much to support local charities here in Plymouth and across the country.”

Earlier this year as part of their heroic fundraising efforts, staff from the furniture retailer have climbed the UK’s three highest peaks carrying full size sofas and tackled the white water rapids of the London 2012 Olympic course with a sofa mounted on a raft!

Helen Normoyle, Chief Marketing Officer at DFS, said: “The final leg of our Extreme Sofa Challenge Series is certainly the most gruelling. Luckily we have a team of fantastic employees who are willing to go the extra mile – literally. As a business we believe in supporting the communities in which we operate, which is why we are so very proud to be supporting BBC Children in Need which does so much to support thousands of children living in communities all over the UK.”

Carrie Green from BBC Children in Need said; “The staff at DFS have really gone above and beyond with their fundraising for BBC Children in Need this year. The Extreme Sofa Challenges are an incredible undertaking and this last challenge is set to be a big one. We are delighted with the efforts of DFS’ staff, their support will make a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK."

To donate to the team, visit http://mydonate.bt.com/charities/dfsinaidofbbcchildreninneed.