Organisers rise to charity challenge

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. 

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