News

Charles Hewitson, partner at Hewitsons the main sponsors for Chariots of Fire was recently interviewed by the local radio station Star Radio.  Included in this podcast Charles explains the history of Chariots and its role in raising valuable funds for this years recipients The Rosie Hospital Campaign.

To listen to this podcast, click on link below.

Hewitsons Chariot of Fire Podcast.mp3

Ten different categories make up the Trophy titles that are up for grabs at this year’s Chariots of Fire relay race.

Based on the famous film that celebrated the exploits of the 1924 British Olympic team, the event recreates the running course through Cambridge and now involves two and a half thousand runners. Each team member follows a 1.7 mile route around the city and along the backs of the beautiful Colleges before passing on the relay-baton to next runner.

This year the winning team categories include; first, second and third fastest teams, all male, all female and mixed teams, veteran male, veteran female and veteran mixed teams, and the college team category.

The fastest team in each category will be awarded an engraved trophy to keep for one year and their team time and photo published in the Cambridge News. Every team that completes the race will have their final time published on the Chariots of Fire website (www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk)

Another category a team might aspire to win is the ‘People’s Cup’. This is awarded to the team who provide the most laughter and entertainment for the crowds on the day. This can be achieved by running the race in fancy dress or a maybe novel idea involving props or gimmicks. The team awarded the cup last year was John Lewis who dressed up as chefs and ran the route with a tray in one hand and the relay-baton in the other!  

So if you have not signed up your team already, now is the time to do so! All sponsorship raised this year is going to a very worthy cause, the Rosie Hospital whose campaign aim is to extend the size of the current maternity hospital, one of the finest in the country, where women and their babies receive the very best antenatal, neonatal and gynaecological care.

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

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

With Chariots of Fire fast approaching, a local leisure and fitness centre, Frank Lee Leisure & Fitness, say it is not too late to register a team and start getting prepared for the race.

The Frank Lee Leisure & Fitness offers a wide range of facilities to NHS employees and other related employees on the Addenbrooke’s site and around Cambridge within its state of the art gym. Teams from the centre have greatly enjoyed taking part in the charity relay race in recent years.

Stuart Hay of Frank Lee Leisure & Fitness said, “For the few months before the day, we have the treadmills teaming with team members preparing for the race. Its great to see the variety of teams showing the fullest ranges of age, experience and ability all coming together to have a fun day out and raise money.“

“It is fantastic to be part of this enjoyable event, which is no doubt boosted enormously by the added attraction of supporting the Rosie Hospital Campaign by raising lots of sponsorship money. I would urge anyone interested in taking part to register a team today to avoid disappointment and to guarantee their place in this satisfying challenge.”

For those who are attempting the Chariots of Fire for the first time this year, here are some hints and tips that will help you prepare for this unique relay race, and may even motivate you into becoming a regular runner.

·         Look after your feet. This might sound unusual, but many a runner suffers from blisters, pins and needles and other problems with their feet.  Blisters are a pain, but sometimes something as simple as wearing two pairs of thin socks can reduce the friction.  Pain, pins and needles and even bruised toes are normally caused by ill-fitting footwear.  Running shoes should fit bigger than most shoes and they should be loosely tied up – you should just be able to pull it off when done up.

·         Pain CAN be without gain.  Don’t be tempted to run through an injury thinking it will do you good. Stop, and seek medical advice as you may make it worse, you don’t want to get injured and end up watching the event from the sidelines

·         Will it be crowded?  This is a big event with lots of teams, people and supporters, if you want to avoid the main crowd, try going as the 6^th and last runner that way the other teams will be nicely spaced along the course and you can also bask in the finishing-line glory!

·         Warm down and stretch. A warm down could be a leisurely jog back home or even a walk, just to wind down the body and help you recover.  Follow this with some gentle stretches. This is important for training runs but also for race day as well.

·         Preparation. Don’t run at least 48 hours before the event.  This gives your body time to rest. Also, Autumn in England could bring with it any weather – so be prepared by making sure you are dressed appropriately.

·         Have fun. There will be some serious runners out there, but most of us are have a go heroes raising money and having a great time, and that is what makes this day such a success.

The race takes place on Sunday 18 September, starting from Queens’ Green with teams of six each running the scenic 1.7 mile course in relay format through the city centre and Kings, Clare and Trinity colleges.

Charles Hewitson, race director and partner at sponsors Hewitsons added, “All the effort runners put into training for and running in the race will not be in vain, as teams will be raising money to fund the vital work of the Rosie Hospital Campaign.”

Continuing with tradition, dozens of lawyers from leading regional law firm Hewitsons will once again be donning their running gear to take part in Cambridge’s premier charity race of the year, Chariots of Fire.

The relay race takes place on Sunday 18^th September, with more than 2000 people competing – among them teams of six from the event organisers, Hewitsons.

A number of Hewitsons’ employment team are running as ‘The Red Devils’, led by Elizabeth Swinburn. Elizabeth said: “Many of us have previously run in Chariots and we’re really looking forward to it. Not only is it an opportunity to get fit, it’s great to know that we will be raising money for the Rosie Campaign. This very worthwhile cause is certainly an incentive which will hopefully help me make it to the finishing post!”

The Rosie Hospital Campaign – run by ACT, the independent charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals – plans to raise enough funds to double the size of its current and much-loved maternity hospital – to provide essential new facilities for women and babies across the East of England.

Charles Hewitson, race director and partner of Hewitsons, said, “Chariots of Fire is a perfect opportunity for local organisations and college members to join together for a great cause. Entering a team with your colleagues or friends really encourages camaraderie and team spirit, which really shows on the day. For those who don’t want to run in the race, it is also a great fun day out to come along and support the teams.”

And it’s not too late to enter a team and get involved! To register your team online, visit the website at www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk. Registrations close on 9^th September so register today to avoid disappointment.

Each team member will run the picturesque 1.7 mile route in relay format through Cambridge city centre, the colleges and along the backs. The event is based on the famous film and recreates the celebrated run through Trinity College.

A woman whose pregnancy saved her life as it allowed doctors to detect her ovarian cancer early enough to treat is backing this year’s Chariots of Fire race, which will raise money for the Rosie Hospital where her daughter Sophie was born.

Matthew and Claire Billing were thrilled when Claire became pregnant a year into their marriage and looked forward to this next phase of life. However, their initial euphoria diminished when Claire was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. 

On discovering that she had cancer, their focus remained entirely on her pregnancy with support provided by her consultant, a specialist in gynaecological cancers, Mr Shafi. Claire says ‘I think the world of Mr Shafi now – and I still email him photos of Sophie and bring her to some of my appointments when I can’.

After an emotional consultation, Sophie was delivered at 37 weeks by caesarean, and the ovary was removed at the same time. Sophie was born, a healthy 6lb 1oz. ‘We were overwhelmed – as new parents are’ says Claire. A fortnight later, after recovering well Claire got the call informing her that the ovary was cancerous and more advanced than previously anticipated, requiring a total hysterectomy and six cycles of chemotherapy.

Sophie pulled the couple through this difficult time. Claire says, ‘A newborn is brilliant at making you get on with things. She carried us forward.’

Indeed without Sophie the tumor may not have been detected in time. The disease has long been known as the silent killer, since it can be so hard to spot. ‘It’s likely that my pregnancy hormones fed and increased the rate in which the cancer was developing – and pregnancy is the only time you’re scanned in that area and surrounded by professionals,’ says Claire.

But Claire doesn’t dwell on the negative, ‘There’s not a day when I don’t look at Sophie and think how lucky we’ve been. She is full of beans, an absolute joy,’ says Claire.

Today, life has settled down, with both Claire and Matthew juggling the many social commitments of their popular little girl and Sophie’s increasing excitement at the prospect of starting school in September. Claire is back in her job as Corporate Manager for ACT, the registered charity for Cambridge University Hospitals.

Although four and a half years old and so too young to run in the Chariots of Fire, Sophie is no stranger to fund raising for the Rosie having recently raised over a hundred pounds by doing 105 bunny hops in two minutes. Claire hopes to follow her daughters’ example and join a team for Chariots and says ‘I would encourage people to come and join chariots or go online and make a donation online (www.justgiving.com/Act). I am just one of the many success stories of this amazing hospital.

According to Charles Hewitson, partner and race director of organiser Hewitsons, ‘Claire and Matthews story highlights the tremendous work that the Rosie hospital provides. I’m delighted our Chariots of Fire race is supporting the Rosie this year and would urge everyone to get their trainers on for the race and start fundraising and getting sponsored’.