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Entries are now open for the Topless Ladies car rally to be held on Sunday 20th June 2010 for ladies in topless cars (what else!). Starting from Bardfield Vineyard in the heart of rural North Essex, and covering some 50 miles through some of the County's most picturesque lanes and villages, this should be a great way to spend a summers day and raise money for CLEFT at the same time! There will be prizes galore ending with a BBQ and live music in the ancient and great barn built by Henry VIII for Anne of Cleves.
Further details are available from organisers William Hulse and Jan Archer on 07718 737828 or by email on hulsebarleybarn@aol.com. An application form can also be downloaded from the website of one of our corporate sponsors at www.lfcgraybrook.co.uk/news.php. If you can’t take part but would still like to give your support, donations are always welcome via our Just Giving webpage on www.justgiving.com/car-rally . |
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A mere 1 hour, 33 minutes and 18 seconds into the Royal Parks Half Marathon, held in London on Sunday, 11 October 2009, the first CLEFT T-shirt passed the finishing post.
A jubilant moment! Hadley Lund was our charity’s heroic winner of the 13.1 mile race, followed just 1 minute and 23 seconds later by Stuart Schabram.
A steady stream of CLEFT runners continued to flow past. Trustee and plastic surgeon Brian Sommerlad, a ‘senior’ competitor, finished 3rd in the male veterans category with an impressively ‘junior’ time of 1 hour 44 minutes, and wants to improve on that next year. Fellow trustees Jeremy Salsby and Matt Ristau were, respectively, 15 minutes and 37 minutes behind him.
Former cleft patients, medics, parents, godparents and devoted friends ran alongside each other, cheered on by CLEFT supporters in the crowd – many of them the children in whose name we’re committed to the cause.
Several of our star runners also achieved stellar fund-raising results. Aleksander Jancic, who ran in 1 hour 52 minutes and 30 seconds, and Sarah Wigley, who crossed the line just 16 seconds after him (looking as if she’d just stepped out of a beauty salon) each raised over £11,000. Many others raised over £1,000. |
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The final total raised on the day is still to be counted and will be announced here when it’s known, but to date we’re at and rising…
Thanks can never be enough, but |
Your money will be put to immediate use in essential research projects. (We’ll keep you posted about the progress of these too.)
On the day, the CLEFT tent was the heart of the operation, a hub-bub of activity, brilliantly executed.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those who’ve spent months working to ensure the day’s outstanding success. |
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Chair Maddie Holmes deserves an organisational Oscar and in her acceptance speech, would be sure to give special thanks to co-trustees Andrew Steel and Matt Ristau.
The day was proof that by harnessing the talents and enthusiasm of our growing number of supporters, CLEFT can fulfil its aspirations and alter the future of cleft children the world over. |
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Want to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon 2010? Let us know now – it’s only 12 months away… fundraising@cleft.org.uk |
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| Check back soon for a link to pictures from the race! |
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