Leeds dad completes 15 mile 'pram push' from Ilkley to Leeds for Children in Need

A dad from Leeds has completed a 15 mile 'pram push' from Ilkley to Leeds for the 22nd year running, raising money for Children in Need.
Stephen Wakefield completing a 'pram push' from Ilkley to Leeds for the 22nd yearStephen Wakefield completing a 'pram push' from Ilkley to Leeds for the 22nd year
Stephen Wakefield completing a 'pram push' from Ilkley to Leeds for the 22nd year

Stephen Wakefield, from Alwoodley, started the pram push in 1998 with his eight-month-old son Daniel in tow.

As Daniel grew too big for the pram, he started walking the journey with his dad every year and Pudsey the bear took his place in the pram.

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Daniel is at university this year, but that hasn't stopped Stephen from making the 15 mile journey through Wharfedale, Menston, Yeadon, Horsforth and finishing at Leeds City Station.

Stephen (centre) pictured with his late father Alan and son Daniel on a previous pram pushStephen (centre) pictured with his late father Alan and son Daniel on a previous pram push
Stephen (centre) pictured with his late father Alan and son Daniel on a previous pram push

He completed the journey in seven hours today, raising £340.49 from people passing by and nearly £5,000 on his JustGiving page.

The 58-year-old said: "I might have even walked home if my wife didn't pick me up! When you're doing it and people are donating, you're blinkered.

"I can't get enough of it, then when it's gone I'm on a bit of a downer. But when we see what money we've raised on TV tonight, that will be my motivation again for next year."

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Stephen estimates they have raised more than £75,000 since starting the pram push and a further £35,000 from other fundraising efforts in the last 29 years.

He added: "You get emotionally attached to Children in Need and I thought - I could do something here.

"If my health keeps on going I'll do it for as long as I can. When I die, I want my coffin to go along the route I used to take, with a Pudsey bear inside so I can still keep collecting money."

Tess Daly announced on tonight's BBC Children In Need programme that some of the money raised will go towards those affect by the flooding across the country.