🔗 Share this article

BBC Children in Need

The chairman of Children in Need stepped down shortly after starting the role following he was convicted of negligent driving for colliding with a cyclist.

Terry Duddy's BMW knocked a female cyclist off her bike as he turned right on High Street, the Buckinghamshire village, Buckinghamshire on 21 June.

The elderly man admitted inflicting severe harm by careless and inconsiderate driving at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court on November 13 and was handed an eight-month sentence, deferred for a year and a half.

BBC Children in Need stated Duddy, who was appointed as chairman on 21 October, had resigned, saying "he could not continue in this role".

The court also disqualified Duddy from operating a vehicle or getting a license for one and a half years, fined him £85 in fees along with a £175 victim fee.

He will also have to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the coming year.

Thames Valley Police posted details and footage of the crash with the woman, who was in her 50s, to its Facebook page.

It stated: "The bike rider had right of way and a moment of carelessness from the driver, by not adequately ensuring the road was clear to cross, has had a life changing impact on the individual."

Children in Need issued a statement after the court ruling.

It said: "Last Tuesday, our recently appointed chairman Terry Duddy notified us that he had been convicted last week of inflicting severe harm through negligent driving."

"Given these circumstances he submitted his resignation, which the trustees approved, agreeing he could not continue in this role."

The charity confirmed James Fairclough, a trustee for several years, would be succeeding the former chairman having formally been appointed chair "with immediate effect".

"We remain focused on helping children and young people thrive," it stated.

When he was selected to the position, the organization said he brought "a wealth of management and guidance experience in both the charity and commercial sectors, combined with a strong dedication to aiding youth development".

He was a trustee of the London Marathon Foundation, chair of London Marathon Events and chairman of the non-profit the youth organization.

He has previously held senior commercial roles, such as CEO of Home Retail Group Plc.

The charity is the official charity of the BBC and recently it raised over £45m to support children and young people throughout the United Kingdom.