Carluke's Derek Smith takes on the Tour de Pudsey

Derek will be cycling over 300 miles from Edinburgh to the town of Pudsey in Yorkshire in just three and a half days.

After cycling from Glasgow to Edinburgh four years ago he fell in love with the sport and he is excited for the challenge of both the cycling and the fundraising.

Tour de Pudsey is one of Lloyds Banking Group’s signature challenges for its Charity of the Year partnership with BBC Children in Need.

From September 13-16 60 of the banking group’s workers from across the UK will join one of three teams departing from London, Cardiff and Edinburgh to cycle over 300 miles to Pudsey.

Derek, Development and Conduct Manager in Glasgow, said: “I am very proud to be part of the Tour de Pudsey challenge with my colleagues.

“I have been a keen cyclist for many years now but even so, the thought of some of the hills we will be climbing on route to Pudsey is quite intimidating.

“I am going to focus on the impact that our fundraising will have on BBC Children in Need to help motivate our team to complete the challenge together.”

Stuart Beaver, Director, Partnership & Community Programmes, Lloyds Banking Group said: “We are hugely proud of and grateful to our colleagues for their fantastic fundraising for BBC Children in Need. The miles covered by the Tour de Pudsey riders will raise even more money for a great cause.”

And thanking the cyclists, Jonathan Rigby, Director of Marketing and Fundraising, BBC Children in Need, added: “Their fundraising efforts never cease to amaze us and this challenge is no exception.

“The level of determination, endurance and positivity required to take on Tour de Pudsey will be no mean feat and we thank all of those involved.

“Every mile travelled and penny donated will go towards helping disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.”