News

The 2012 Chariots of Fire charity relay race will take place on Sunday 16 September and local charities are encouraged to apply to be the beneficiary of the funds raised.

The annual Cambridge event sees thousands of runners race along a scenic route of the historic city centre, through the colleges and the picturesque Backs, all in aid of raising money for a particular charity.

The event is organised and sponsored by regional law firm, Hewitsons and is backed by media partners, The Cambridge News.

Race director, Charles Hewitson, said, “Chariots is a fully established event in the city and raises not only money but a huge amount of awareness amongst the academic and business community for the chosen charity.”

“All local charities are considered in the application process and over the years the event has supported charities such as Arthur Rank Hospice, Papworth Hospital Trust, East Anglian Children’s Hospices, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Cam-Mind and Home-Start Cambridge.”

“The 2011 event was held in aid of the Rosie Hospital Campaign which was set up to help the Cambridge hospital expand. The Rosie campaign plans to raise enough money to double the size of its current maternity hospital to provide essential new facilities for women and babies in the East of England. Following the race on the 18 September I’m delighted that donations are pouring in.”

If you would like to apply, download the charity application form from the website (www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk). All applications should be submitted by Monday 16 January 2012.

For further information, contact Sarah Head at sarahhead@hewitsons.com or on 01223 461155.

Cambridge University colleges have been racing to sign up for the city’s largest charity relay race, Chariots of Fire.

Seven colleges – Queen’s, Churchill, St John’s, Clare, Jesus, Trinity and King’s have already entered teams for this unique charity event, which takes place on Sunday 18^th September.

Once again three of the city’s colleges, King’s, Clare and Trinity are generously opening up their doors to accommodate the race route and allow the runners access through their scenic grounds.

Charles Hewitson of event sponsors Hewitsons said, “We are very grateful to all three colleges for their continuing support of the event. Each year runners comment that it is such a privilege to be able to run through the beautiful college grounds. Chariots certainly helps in bringing together the local and business communities in a truly distinctive way.

The event is now in its 20th year with thousands of runners expected to participate on Sunday 18^th September.

The race is being held this year in aid of the Rosie Hospital Campaign. 

Bebi Holmes, team manager of Queens’ College team, said: “For the last seven years I have been team leader for our College team and each year I really look forward running. Not only is Chariots a fun event and great for team building but with this years charity being such a fantastic local cause, its bound to help spur me on over the finish line”

The races starts at 9.30am from Queens’ Green, with team managers required to register their teams from 7.30am in the registration marquee. Race instructions are available on the Chariots website www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk

Team spaces are still available, but hurry to avoid disappointment as the closing date is Thursday 15^th September.  www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk.

Britain’s top Olympic swimming legend, Duncan Goodhew, will be sounding the horn to start one of the region’s most highly anticipated charity races of the year – Chariots of Fire.

Duncan, an accomplished athlete who achieved an Olympic Gold medal in the 100 metre breaststroke at the 1980 Olympics, will be starting the race at 9.30am on Sunday September 18^th at Queens’ Green Cambridge.

Chariots of Fire, organised by Hewitsons law firm, is raising funds this year to support the Rosie Hospital campaign, which was set up to help the Cambridge hospital expand. The Rosie campaign plans to raise enough money to double the size of its current maternity hospital to provide essential new facilities for women and babies in the East of England.

Duncan said: “I once visited a maternity hospital, which was so tired that the paint was crumbling from the walls. It struck me as odd and a very sad reflection of how we view life. I’m pleased to say that The Rosie Hospital campaign is about creating the opposite - the very best environment to start life.  Now isn’t that something worth supporting?”

Charles Hewitson, race director and partner at Hewitsons, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Duncan on hand to support Chariots of Fire this year. He is an inspirational athlete and someone I’m sure many people will admire for his sporting achievements. Chariots of Fire is obviously raising money for a great cause and we hope as many teams as possible will sign up to join us on this fun day.”

The race, which sees relay teams of six following a scenic route through the colleges and the picturesque Backs in Cambridge, is based on the famous film of the same name, recreating the celebrated run through Trinity College.

To register a team please visit www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk. For more information on The Rosie Hospital Campaign please visit www.therosiecampaign.org.uk

The Chariots of Fire race will hold extra special meaning this year for two runners, having both experienced first hand the fantastic work of the Rosie Maternity Hospital with the birth of their children earlier this year.

Paul Sinfield and Ben Wright, from Aixtron, based in Buckingway Business Park in Swavesey, will both be running in team Aix-Men during the relay race on Sunday 18^th September, where all sponsorship monies raised will be donated to the Rosie Hospital Campaign.  They will be joined by colleagues, David Molony, Kenny Metcalfe, James Adide and Neil Paterson.

Upon discovering during 32 weeks into pregnancy that their baby had stopped growing due to reduced blood flow from the placenta getting through the umbilical cord, Paul and his wife, Angela, had to attend weekly scans for the next month to check progress. At 36 weeks, the couple had to make the emotional decision that it would be safer for their baby to be born into the world than remain in the womb. Baby Hannah was born weighing just 4lb 5oz thanks to the incredible work of their brilliant midwife, Sophie Clements, and the team of doctors at the Rosie.

Being able to breath by herself, Hannah was placed in the Special Care Baby Unit, rather than the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, before being discharged to go home. During this time both mum and dad were able to stay in accommodation on site at Addenbrookes, which Paul describes as a “god send”, allowing them to feed and bond with their first born child.

Paul says ‘Prior to Hannah being born and during our 9 day stay in SCBU, we witnessed first hand the amazing work the doctors, midwives and nurses do for the babies and their families.  We feel they don’t get enough credit for the hard work they do, and it’s not until you put your trust and precious newborn baby into their hands, that you realise just how hard they work and the miracles they perform’.

Today Hannah is a thriving happy baby girl ‘everyday she makes Angela and I smile and laugh and we can’t believe how lucky we are’, says Paul. ‘She is the motivation to put on the running kit to train in the evening after a hard day at work, tiring shift nappy changing and feeding Hannah at all hours’.

‘At the end of the day, as long as we all get over the line in one piece, we’ll have achieved what we set out to do in order to earn that well deserved money for the Rosie and for those babies and parents that are currently receiving treatment and future families that come to rely on the amazing work the doctors and nurses carry out at the Rosie’, says Paul

Another runner in team Aix-Men is Ben Wright, a regular runner for Chariots of Fire who describes the race as ‘a fantastic event with a great atmosphere, helped by the complete mix of people who enter from those wanting to run their best, those running for fun and not forgetting those who compete in full fancy dress costumes’. 

Like his team mate Paul, this years event holds special significance for Ben as after a long and complicated labour, his wife, Kaili gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Posy, weighing 6lb 10oz at the Rosie. ‘We are both completely indebted to all the staff at the Rosie, in particular Becky from the midwife led unit who helped us with the birthing pool, Claire Stead who assisted in setting up the epidural for the anaesthetist and helped during the later stages of labour, and Alberto the only male midwife at the Rosie who was truly amazing and finally brought our daughter into the world’.

‘On the day of the race Posy will be exactly 8 weeks old, so who knows, maybe she will even give me her first smile as I cross the finish line’, says Ben.

According to Charles Hewitson, partner and race director of organiser Hewitsons, ‘Both Paul and Ben’s story highlights the tremendous work and complete dedication given by all staff at the Rosie. I’m delighted that all proceeds from Chariots of Fire will be going to this wonderful Campaign. I would urge everyone to register a team, get sponsored and come and join us for this most enjoyable and rewarding event’.

This year’s race will take place on Sunday 18 September starting and finishing at Queen’s Green in Cambridge. To enter a team please visit the website: www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk. To make a donation to the Aix-Men team please visit www.justgiving.com/aix-men.

For further information contact either Stephen Page or Sarah Head on 01223 461155 or by email admin@chariots-of-fire.co.uk