Video courtesy of Anglia TV
September 9th, 2008
The largest annual charity event in Cambridgeshire this year sees many Cambridge University college teams taking part in the famous race which follows its historic route through Kings, Clare and Trinity colleges. As a result there will be an intense inter-collegiate battle for the College team trophy, won last year by Gonville & Ciaus.
August 29th, 2008
This year’s Chariots of Fire charity relay race will see teams battling it out for a variety of exciting prizes. Teams will be competing for the top spot in a number of categories to suit every type of runner. With only three weeks to go until the event, the race is on to fill the remaining team places.
August 15th, 2008
With less than five weeks to go now until Cambridge’s largest annual charity relay race takes place, teams are taking to the streets to train for the challenge ahead. Team entries are still pouring in for Chariots of Fire 2008 and the remaining places are being snapped up quickly.
The event takes place on Sunday 21 September from Queens’ Green in Cambridge. The race route includes a scenic tour through the town centre and Cambridge colleges, before ending up on Queens’ Green for the finish in front of the cheering crowds.
Romsey Mill and Red Balloon – Cambridge are the two charities who have been chosen to benefit from the funds raised. The event is organised by Hewitsons and Grant Thornton UK LLP and is backed by the News and organisers are aiming for record sponsorship totals this year.
Romsey Mill is a charity that creates opportunities for marginalised young people and families in Cambridge. Similarly, Red Balloon – Cambridge offers help and support to youngsters who have been marginalised by extreme bullying. Both charities aim to re-build self-esteem, confidence and teach new skills.
Charles Hewitson, Race Director and Senior Partner at Hewitsons said, “With so many members of the local community getting involved in the event this year, it is a great opportunity to raise lots of money that is urgently needed for both charities”.
Charles continued, “We are grateful for the continuing support of Trinity, Clare and Kings colleges in allowing the teams to run through the grounds once again this year. I have taken part in the race for a number of years and being able to run through the colleges adds a special dimension to the event as well as a link back to the film on which it is based”.
Mike Hughes, Partner at Grant Thornton said, “We would encourage teams to take advantage of the summer weather and get outdoors and train for the race. Teams are made up of six runners who each run the 1.7 mile course in relay format. There is usually quite a mixture of abilities on the course, with some people running the race for fun and others providing some serious competition, so training in advance can prove an advantage!”
The Chariots of Fire race route is available to download from the website. Please visit www.chariots-of-fire.co.uk for further information on how to enter the race and the latest event news.
Photo: A shot of the scenic race route at last year’s event.
July 31st, 2008
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
July 28th, 2008
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
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