The annual St Albans Pancake Races are being transformed into a major fundraising event for children’s charity Home-Start Hertfordshire.
The charity, which provides young families with advice and support, has teamed up with events’ company and business publication Hertfordshire Business Independent to organise the event.
The two organisations take over running of the popular St Albans Pancake Races from St Albans City and District Council’s Community Engagement Team. The team felt that it was time to stand down to let others develop the charity fundraising side of the event.
Each year on Shrove Tuesday crowds come to watch teams from local businesses, charities and community groups have fun taking part in St Albans Pancake Races.
Bringing a party-like atmosphere to the City centre, the traditional pancakes races are held in front of the Town Hall in St Peter’s Street.
Many of the 100 or so competitors wear fancy-dress or sport corporate branding to publicise their organisation.
There are usually two races – a traditional running race and a Flippin’ Walkers Race. Special frying pan trophies are presented to the winners of both.
The new organisers want to grow the event with the aim of raising much-needed funds for Home-Start.
The charity provides practical advice and emotional support to families with young children at various locations across Hertfordshire, including from the Civic Centre offices in St Albans.
Suzy Moody, Strategic Manager at Home-Start Hertfordshire, said: “We are delighted to take over the running of St Albans Pancakes Races. We have really enjoyed competing in it previously and it is such a great opportunity for the business community and charities to come together and have some fun. With the support of Hertfordshire Business Independent, we are planning to grow this fantastic event by turning it into a key fundraiser for our charity. In the New Year, we will be inviting applications from local businesses and community groups to take part in the event. Please sign up to have some fun flipping pancakes and help us raise much-needed funds for Home-Start at the same time.”
Simon George, Managing Director for The Hertfordshire Business Independent, said: “We are pleased to help Home-Start build the St Albans Pancake Races into a key fundraising event for this children’s charity. We will be using our expertise in events management and media coverage in our business publication to help the charity develop this entertaining event and raise funds.”
Cllr Beric Read, Community Engagement and Localism Portfolio Holder St Albans City and District Council, said: “St Albans Pancake Race has bags of potential to be developed into a large-scale fundraising event. I am really pleased that such a worthwhile charity as Home-Start Hertfordshire has decided to take over the running of this fun event. Please support the charity in its aim by fielding teams for some flippin’ fun in the New Year.”
More information about Home-Start Hertfordshire is available at: http://home-startherts.org.uk/
