The arrival of autumn is no signal to stop the charity fundraising and fun. Gina Long thanks all those walking, running, cycling and more, and those toiling behind the scenes to make sure everything turns out to be a success on the day
My husband, Andrew, and I were again delighted to host the 8th Classic and Sports Cars by the Lake, raising funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care. It would not be possible without the extraordinary team of voluntary committee members, headed by Austin Cornish, who work tirelessly.
Austin said: “We are so pleased that year after year we are able to build on the success of Classic and Sports Cars by the Lake and 2017 was our best show to date.”
Sponsorship is crucial. Our main sponsors were solicitors Ashtons Legal and Ensors Chartered Accountants; Coastline Graphics donated signage and banners. A team of 20 judges, all volunteers and headed by James Thurlow, joined visitors viewing the stunning vehicles and bikes, selecting the best in each category for awards. West Suffolk College provided the catering, headed by Mike Mulivhil and team.
Visitors admired the stars of the show: over 750 classic cars, sports cars and bikes. There were family-friendly rides and entertainment, crafts, plus live broadcasting by BBC Radio Suffolk. Edward Crichton raised extra money auctioning four great prizes on the day, too.
Karen Ridgeon has from day one been “in charge” of booking all entries. Her work is the foundation of what has become a special FUNdraising family day out. It turned out to be a record breaker, with over £40,000 raised ? boosted by Bill Wyman, who not only came along but donated 100 copies of his book The Stones, A History in Cartoons. To date we have raised over £250,000 for the most worthy of causes: our local hospice.
Big BRO
Last September saw the first Big BRO Race in aid of Suffolk Breast Cancer Now. Created by volunteer Laura Hudson and Nick Smith, personal trainer and co-owner of The Playground, the event is a triathlon with a twist, testing endurance with a 22k road bike, 4k run, and finishing with a lap of The Playground’s 25-obstacle assault course. Last year, participants from as far as Birmingham helped raise £4,500.
This year it will not be sponsored by a corporate company but by a Bury St Edmunds-based breast cancer survivor. Sue Birrell, who always puts others first, was diagnosed in 2016 after finding an indentation, not a lump, in her breast. There are still a few places left on Sunday, September 24 at The Playground, Barrow. www.theplaygrounduk.com/the-big-bro
Girls Night Out
Women wearing flashing bunny ears put their best feet forward when they stepped out to raise hundreds of thousands for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Some 2,188 ladies pulled on their comfiest trainers and paced the pavements of Bury St Edmunds as part of the 2017 Girls Night Out.
The pyjama-clad women gathered on Angel Hill as they prepared to trek either six or 11.2 miles round the town, and although funds are still being counted, it is estimated the moonlight walk, now in its ninth year, will raise £250,000.
Jenny Smith, hospice events manager, said: “When Girls Night Out started we had around 350 walkers; now we have 350 marshals and volunteers, all of whom do an outstanding job, and more than 2,000 women taking part, who between them will have walked more than 10,000 miles.”
Next year Girls Night Out, on September 8, will celebrate its 10th birthday. www.stnicholashospicecare.org.uk
Volunteer Suffolk
A website to help you discover volunteering opportunities on your doorstep. Whether you are looking to try something new, give something back, make new friends, build your skills or confidence, there is a role for you.
Find your next adventure from hundreds of local opportunities. www.volunteersuffolk.org.uk
Race for Jase
Family and friends of Jason Gouldby, who died in 2012 of a brain tumour, take part in Race for Jase on Saturday, September 23. The group will cycle 26 miles from Brackenbury cliff-top in Felixstowe to Felixstowe Ferry, then to the Newbourne Fox pub, to Ipswich and Levington via The Levington Ship, and back to the White Horse in Felixstowe for a BBQ and music.
All cyclists will wear red and all money will be donated to Cancer Research UK. For information, or to take part, email Jason’s mum at Lynn@raceforjase.co.uk
Let me know!
Please send your charity stories, along with a supporting photo, to gina@geewizzcharity.com
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