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Cambridgeshire’s largest annual charity relay race, Chariots of Fire, looks set to be one of its most successful years to date. With a record number of teams already registered to run in the race this year, the organisers are expecting plenty of sponsorship money to be raised for two local charities, Romsey Mill and Red Balloon - Cambridge

Both charities work tirelessly to help the bullied children and disadvantaged youngsters and families in Cambridge and are counting on the crucial sponsorship money that will be raised at Chariots of Fire 2008. Organisers are hoping to beat last year’s total of £75,000.

Charles Hewitson, Race Director and Senior Partner at Hewitsons said, “The money raised by the teams at this year’s event will provide an essential funding boost for the charities and will help them to continue the various programmes and activities they run.”

Charles added, “As an incentive for the runners this year, we are offering a special prize to the team who raises the highest amount of sponsorship money. In the past, this has topped £9,000, so we hope to set a new record this year!”

Romsey Mill CEO, Neil Perry said, “Romsey Mill reaches around 2200 young people and families each week in some of the most deprived areas of Cambridge, creating opportunities for development. The Chariots of Fire sponsorship money will be a vital donation towards projects like our Social Inclusion Programme, which works with 13-21 year olds to improve skills and confidence, raise aspirations and fulfil potential.”

The Red Balloon Learner Centre works towards the recovery of bullied children. Director, Carrie Herbert said, “We rely heavily on funding from organisations such as Chariots of Fire to allow us continue the service we provide. The sponsorship money from this year’s event will be used to enhance the facilities at the Centre, which will enable us to provide the children with a richer and more varied education.”

Solicitors, Hewitsons and financial and business advisors Grant Thornton UK LLP have organised the charity event since its inception in 1992. The race is backed by the News.

The race will take place on Sunday 21 September, starting from Queens’ Green in Cambridge. The race follows a 1.7 mile course through the town centre, the beautiful Cambridge colleges and along the backs. A prize giving ceremony will take place at midday on Queens’ Green, after the race.

Mike Hughes, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP said, “Chariots of Fire is a great opportunity for the local community to get involved in raising money for two fantastic charities. This year, we have an exciting addition of some children’s entertainment that will take place in the registration marquee throughout the race, so bring along your whole family to join in the fun”.

Photo: Runners from Chariots of Fire 2007

As the county gets fired up for Cambridge’s annual Chariots of Fire charity relay race, the organiser’s teams are preparing for the challenge of some friendly inter-sponsor rivalry!

The charity race, sponsored by solicitors Hewitsons, financial and business advisors Grant Thornton UK LLP and backed by the News, will take place on Sunday 21 September from Queens’ Green in Cambridge.

The event is based on the famous film, which celebrates the exploits of the Cambridge University athlete Harold Abrahams in his 1924 British Olympic team debut in Paris. The charity race follows a scenic route through the streets of Cambridge and through Trinity, Clare and Kings colleges to echo the college connection in the film.

Grant Thornton will be entering three teams into the race. Ben Reilly, Chariots team manager explained, “We are delighted to be entering the race once again this year and are hoping to beat last year’s time. We like to use Chariots as a team building exercise to train over the summer months ahead of the race and get fit and healthy at the same time.”

Team manager for Hewitsons’ first Chariots team, Daniel Curtis said, “The firm is entering four teams into this year’s event and we are all keen to outrun each other! The members of our team have entered the race for a number of years and there is always such a great atmosphere on the day for runners and spectators alike.”

The News is also joining the main sponsors in entering into the spirit of the event. News team Manager, Nik Shelton added, “As co-sponsors of Chariots of Fire, we like to get involved in running the race and raising plenty of sponsorship money, which is at the heart of this important charity event.”

Each year the event is held in support of a different local charity and over the years has raised nearly 600 million pounds for a variety of worthy causes.

“The funds raised from this year’s event will be donated to Red Balloon - Cambridge and Romsey Mill,” explained Charles Hewitson, Race Director and Senior Partner at Hewitsons. “It is vital for teams to raise as much money as possible for the charities, to enable them to help the bullied children and disadvantaged youngsters and families from Cambridge they provide support for.”

Mike Hughes, Partner from co-sponsors Grant Thornton added, “The event provides the opportunity for local businesses, voluntary organisations and colleges to come together to support the charities. There are always plenty of spectators who come along on the day to cheer on the teams and soak up the exciting race atmosphere around the course route.”

Photo: Some staff from Hewitsons and Grant Thornton in training for the event

This year Cambridgeshire’s largest charity relay race will see the recipient charities entering teams into the race and joining in the fun. The sponsorship money raised from Chariots of Fire 2008 will be split between Romsey Mill and Red Balloon – Cambridge, who are both delighted to get involved.

The event has been raising money for local charities in Cambridgeshire for years and now accommodates up to 420 teams of six runners who run a picturesque 1.7 mile route through the town and college grounds. This year, the race will take place on Sunday 21 September, starting from Queens’ Green.

In anticipation of the race, Romsey Mill has put together a mixed team of young people, volunteers and staff. “Romsey Mill helped me to start my own business teaching music” comments Karl Lewis, Chariots team member for Romsey Mill. “Now I’m happy to help raise awareness and funds so they can help others like me”.

Founded by local churches in 1980, Romsey Mill now works with around 1000 disadvantaged young people, children and families each week.  With them, the charity creates opportunities to overcome disadvantage, promote inclusion and develop well-being.

Neil Perry, Romsey Mill’s CEO said, “We further personal and community development through a long-term relational approach and a pioneering range of activities, all shaped with participants.  We work specifically with young parents, young families, 9-16 year-olds on the autistic spectrum and young people needing focused support to increase confidence and skills.  We provide support through activity-based groups (e.g. urban music, sport), 1:1 sessions, work in schools, outreach, courses, home visits and residentials.”

Neil continued, “The money raised will allow us to continue to make a huge difference to people’s lives. For example, £40,000 would enable us to help 140 vulnerable children and young people to achieve positive outcomes in school and life, through developing emotional resilience, aspirations and skills, as part of our Transitions Programme.”

The other charity to benefit, Red Balloon Learner Centre in Cambridge, provides a protective educational environment for badly bullied children who are too scared to attend mainstream schools and who are in desperate need of building up their confidence and learning abilities.

The event is organised by Hewitsons and Grant Thornton UK LLP and is co-sponsored by the Cambridge News.

Mike Hughes, Partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP said, “With nearly 150 teams already registered to run in the race, it looks set to be a record year for Chariots. The event has grown each year in size and popularity and we are delighted with the level of support that is given in the local community.”

Race Director and Partner at Hewitsons, Charles Hewitson added, “With the addition of a fantastic new event website this year, we are hoping to get even more support for the charities. We are offering a special prize for the team who raises the highest amount of sponsorship and in the past this has been as much as £9,000!”

 
Photo (Romsey Mill Chariots team):
Left to right: Angie Debenham, Levi Wright, James Bennett, Lee Tomkies, Simeon Ferguson, Karl Lewis