Young volunteering hero takes on The One Show's Rickshaw Challenge for BBC Children in Need

A young person from Monmouthshire has been nominated to cycle in this year's Rickshaw Challenge in aid of BBC Children in Need.

Kieran is one of six inspirational young people who have been chosen to cycle more than 400 miles to raise money for BBC Children in Need and change the lives of children and young people across the UK..

The challenge which began on Friday 9th November will see Kieran and the team cycle from Calais through the Channel Tunnel over to Folkestone and will travel across England and Wales to finally arrive in Salford ahead of the live BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on Friday November 16th. Since 2011, The Rickshaw Challenge has raised over £21 million for BBC Children in Need, and every penny that's donated goes towards helping children and young people across the UK. To find out more about the route and how you can donate: www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

Kieran grew up as a young carer for his mum and his younger siblings. Eventually Kieran became unable to cope. He struggled to control his feelings and acted up at school. By the age of 13 things had become so difficult that Kieran was placed in foster care and gradually he began to change his life. For many years Kieran has been brought up by kind and loving foster parents and is an inspiration to young people across Wales.  Unconditional support has been provided by Monmouthshire County Council Children's Service team to help him develop into the young person he is today and reach his full potential. Today Kieran is training to be an electrician and he is once again close to his mum and siblings.

Kieran was nominated by a BBC Children in Need funded project called The Hwb, Torfaen and has 1000 volunteer hours with the organisation. Over the past five years Kieran has been an active member of his community and an advocate for young people.

The Hwb has provided a consistent support network for Kieran providing opportunities, emotional support and numerous qualifications and accreditations.

In 2017 Kieran received the prestigious "Diana" award for his commitment to volunteering, and even found time to train and run the 2017 Cardiff Half Marathon with "Alfie's Army" alongside welsh rugby legend Gareth "Alfie" Thomas.

He continues to help and support local children and young people as a volunteer play worker part of the very successful summer play schemes that took place in Torfaen and Monmouthshire.

Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care Cllr Penny Jones said: 'What a fantastic achievement. I wish Kieran the best of luck in facing the challenge and hope that he raises lots of money for BBC Children in Need. I am so pleased that Kieran has, like so many other children and young people, received so much support from Monmouthshire Foster Care Team. It really shows how being a foster carer can change the lives of so many young people in so many ways. I encourage people to think about becoming foster carers, to give more children and young people the best start in life.'

For more information about Fostering text FOSTER to 83222, call 01873 735950 or visithttp://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/fostering