A NEW lease of life for a Rugby girl with cerebral palsy and epilepsy is the goal of this year’s annual Ladies’ Fancy Dress Charity Pancake Race, which takes place on Tuesday February 9.
Organisers Rugby Rokeby Lions want to raise money for Mia Williams, 9, who was born without eyes.
The Brooke School pupil also suffers from low muscle tone and is unable to walk, stand, sit or raise herself from a lying position without adult support.
The ‘Chair for Mia’ fundraising campaign was set up to raise funds for a type of Safe Chair that will allow her to sit independently, opening up opportunities for her and her family to embrace different and independent aspects of their lives.
Terry Byrne of the Lions said: “We are trying to raise £1,000 or more to help purchase a special Safety Chair in order that Mia can share the enjoyment of being able to sit unaided inside the house or outside in the garden with the rest of the family – and be involved with everyday activities that we all take for granted.
“So why not enter or just donate if you are averse to exercise, just for the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping young Mia to overcome some of her problems and enjoy family life more fully.”
Funds will also go towards Rugby Rokeby Lions charities.
The race winner will receive the Pancake Trophy and the company/firm represented will receive the Pancake Shield to be held for one year. The participant with the most sponsorship money raised will receive an inscribed trophy, as will the runner judged to have the best fancy dress.
Preliminary heats will be run, followed by a final of heat winners and runners up over a course around 100 metres long. Contestants are to provide their own frying pans – pancakes will be provided. The pancake must be tossed once during the race and the holding down of the pancake by fingers or thumbs could lead to disqualification. All runners are encouraged to wear fancy dress.
Sponsorship forms and monies should be produced on the day when checking in before the event, at the Rugby Hotel in Sheep Street at 11.30am on Tuesday February 9, for the race start at 12.00 noon.
Individuals, groups and companies are invited to take part by contacting Doug Hutchinson on 02476 540449, Graham Yates on 01788 521158 or Terry Byrne on 01788 576011 by Tuesday February 2.
