Release date: 8th September, 2009

Fun and Games at Chesterford Research Park raises in excess of £3,500 for local Hospice

Chesterford plays host to ‘It’s A Knock Out’ competition in aid of
St Clare Hospice


The usually calm and tranquil surroundings of Chesterford Research Park were transformed last week into a scene more suited to that of a theme park than a cutting-edge R&D facility!  The arrival of numerous inflatable obstacles and other paraphernalia required for an ‘It’s A Knock Out’ competition signaled the beginning of a memorable event for both the hosts, Chesterford Research Park and the beneficiary of the evenings activities, St Clare Hospice in Hastingwood, Essex.

St Clare Hospice has been providing care for people with life-limiting illnesses for over 18 years.  Costing £2.5m a year to run, St Clare receives 30% funding from the NHS but relies on events such as this to raise the remaining 70% of its running costs each year.

Based on the popular TV show from the 1980s the ‘It’s A Knock Out’ event consisted of numerous outdoor wet and fun games and inflatable obstacle challenges.  Ten companies from around the region raised sponsorship to enter a team.  The most competitively fought battles took place on the Human Demolition game!  A giant, four podium knock-out game testing balance, skill and strength – the objective being to knock opposing team members off their perches using an over-sized inflatable wrecking ball!  Other highlights included the Human Washing Machine and Giant Chicken Run with team members racing against the clock to collect as many eggs from the chicken shed as possible, all whilst dressed in giant chicken costumes…

Obviously keen to see their fellow colleagues slipping and sliding their way through the various obstacles in the name of charity, the games drew a crowd of supporters from both on and off the Park. 

The teams taking part were:

• Carter Jonas and MKA Ecology from Cambridgeshire

• Attwaters, Raytheon and Yule Catto from Harlow

• Ridgeons and Saffron Building Society from Saffron Walden

• 33 Regiment Royal Engineers from Carver Barracks

• Chesterford Research Park and St Clare Hospice
  

‘The Bomb Boys’ team from Carver Barracks emerged victorious, beating ‘The Raytheon Roadies’, ‘Ridgeons Pigeons’ and the team from St Clare Hospice into equal second place.

Hotdogs, hamburgers and refreshments were also available during and after the event, organised and staffed by the catering team at Chesterford Research Park.

Clive Gillam, Corporate Fundraiser for St Clare Hospice said: “We are delighted that our first year of organising this new corporate event has gone so well. Everyone who took part enjoyed themselves immensely and although sponsorship is only just coming in we look to have generated in excess of £3,500. To have so many teams from local businesses take part given the present economic conditions was wonderful.  We are already looking forward to building on its success for next year”.

He added: “The team at St Clare would particularly like to thank Chesterford Research Park for hosting and promoting the event and Price Bailey for their financial support of the event even though they were unable to participate. Also thanks go to Speedyhire, for the generous donation of the Lighting Tower for the evening, and of course to all the teams for taking part!”