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"The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge"
Background
In May 2000 a group of enthusiasts felt there was a gap in the 4x4 events programme and it was decided to introduce a new event to mark the Millennium – the objectives being to provide an interesting ‘Challenge’ to 4x4 owners/addicts/enthusiasts and at the same time support a worthy and well known charity. "The Macmillan 4x4 UK Challenge" was ‘born’. A date was set in November 2000, the event was publicised and entries invited. Then, just as enthusiasm was growing a petrol blockade was announced for the same week-end – not a good idea with 4x4s doing a substantial mileage! The inaugural event was postponed for 6 months to March 2001.
Come February 2001 and Foot and Mouth reared its ugly head – another postponement – this time for a full year. Fortune smiled though and in March 2002 it was to be a case of third time lucky! The event took place, albeit with only 8 teams - the hard core of supporters and a website in place that was getting lots of hits – but enthusiasm and quality made up for numbers and the 8 teams raised a magnificent £8,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
The success of the formula for the event was established. With very supportive items in club and national mags from competitors, with plenty of word of mouth from the excellent hard core, the 2003 event was soon raising its entry limit from an intended 30 teams to cope with demand. Having at one stage reached a possible 67 entries, for one reason and another, eventually 38 teams set off in March 2003. The spirit of fun, quality and enthusiasm was just as high as in 2002 and from an estimated figure of £20,000 announced at the Presentation Dinner the money has continued to flow in and in June 2003 went over the £30,000 for Macmillan Cancer Relief from the 2003 event.
Then the idea was to get even more in 2004!
Which we achieved, with 45 teams bringing in £46,000
We have just got back from the 2005 run
and this years total should break the £50,000 barrier
The 2006 Event
This year ?? teams of two will take part in a challenging event devised by Selwyn Kendrick and Joe Bain. It requires excellent driving and navigational skills, planning, endurance and teamwork. The event covers up to ??? miles with much of the mileage on public roads to get from one test area to the next. There are non-damaging off road trial sections but no aggressive tyres will be needed.
The Start will be in Hereford, the "Home of Cider". the Start/Assembly point will open at 1600 (4.00pm) on the evening of Friday 10th March - Start - 2000 (8.00pm) - first vehicle over line - so allow two hours before that as your arrival time for checks, number issue etc.
The event will end on Sunday 12th (subject to vehicle reliability, successful driving and good navigation!) at a very well appointed hotel somewhere in the UK! There the competitors are invited to join in a celebration dinner, with prize giving, an auction and a no doubt welcome overnight stay. The dinner and a first class twin bedded room for each team on the Sunday night are included in the Entry Fee. In addition to the Entry Fee every team is asked to raise a minimum of a further £400 sponsorship and should have their money, or a record of pledges, by the start. One of the team prizes awarded on Sunday evening at the Presentation Dinner is for the most sponsorship raised.
The proceeds of the fun - which depends largely on the sponsorship which teams can raise – will go to Macmillan Cancer Relief, the country’s major charity devoted to the treatment and care of people with cancer and their families. It will support Macmillan’s continuing efforts to provide support services through the well known Macmillan Nurses, doctors, buildings and patient grants.
The 2006 event is over the weekend 10th to 12th March and the
Booking Office is now open!
The Entry Form can be found on this website. When completed please forward it with the Entry Fee, of £100 per team, as directed on the form. The Entry Fee covers the costs and is not refundable (unless the event is cancelled).
For any further information please contact:
Peter Rowland on 01981 252954, or by email at pjr@shadeoak.freeserve.co.uk
Peter Rowland
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