Rotary Club of Ascot

PRESS RELEASE –2nd January 2007

 

Communications & Press officer           Ian Valentine                        ian@cival.info

 

Another successful Wheelbarrow Race in Sunninghill

 

Crowds turned out in Sunninghill on New Year’s Day to watch the annual Wheelbarrow Race, which follows a one mile course around the village.  Competitors were wearing the usual outrageous attire, and set out with enthusiasm either to win the prize for the fastest time, or at least for the best fancy dress.  The event, which is sponsored by Ascot Race Course, raises money in aid of the Ascot Daycare Centre.

The winners of the speed trial this year was the AFC Sunninghill team, cunningly disguised as a football team, with a time of 13 minutes, 45 seconds.  2nd team was Brockenhurst Confession, which appeared to comprise 3 priests and a nun, in 15 minutes 22 seconds, and 3rd was the Dog and Partridge

The team with the fastest time, AFC Sunninghill, looking relaxed, before the race started

The winners of the Best Fancy Dress prize, the Lovely Blue Cybermen

Ascot Round Table team at the halfway point

Brockenhurst Confession, who came second on time, looking for their missing team mate?

The Dog and Partridge team after the race

The Deep Divers cross the finishing line

Winners of the best fancy dress were the Lovely Blue Cybermen, complete with Doctor Who and a police phone box.  A special mention went to the Ben and Sadam team, who incurred a puncture at the top of the High Street, and had to change a wheel on their wheelbarrow, possible the first time this has happened in this race.

This year the Rotary Club of Ascot provided administrative support to the local community organisers of the event, and also provided the timekeepers, a number of the marshals and the safety cars.  Ian Valentine, Vice President of the Rotary Club and a member of the organising committee, said “We are very pleased to have had this opportunity to work with the local community to contribute to such a good cause as the Day Centre.  The turnout and local support has been quite exceptional.”

The starting team, Ian, Ann and Anthony

David counts the takings

After the race, many of the participants and spectators adjourned to the Carpenters Arms where a charity auction took place, followed by the grand draw. The First Prize of a TV + DVD combo went to a lucky ticket holder in Maidens Green, and another prize went as far away as Evesham.

The financial results will not be known until all the sponsorship money has been collected in, but an initial cheque for £500, representing the sponsorship from the Ascot Race Course, was presented to Mrs June Martin of the Day Centre immediately after the race.  The prize-giving and presentation of the balance of the money raised will take place in February, final date and location still to be arranged.