Frome Town Rotary Club joined forces with the Warminster and District RUH Community Group to raise £2,300 for the Royal United Hospital’s (RUH) Bath Cancer Care Campaign.
Organisers said, “Beckington Village Hall was buzzing with excitement as preparation was under way for the renowned ‘Pig Race Night’. To kick-start the event, the toy pigs were auctioned off to the crowd; other race-goers followed by placing a wager on one of the pigs.
“The event comprised five races, each with five contenders – eager to be crowned the olym-pig champion! As the first race began at 7.30pm, the atmosphere was electric as over 80 people in attendance were up on their feet – egging on their pig to make it to the finish line. Before the grand finale, the crowd was served a delicious Ploughman’s and when the night came to a close, there were smiles all round.
“Organiser of the Pig Race Nights, Terry Hickmott, spent three months building the race track, which has since brought so much fun and joy to people all over Wiltshire and Somerset. The next pig race will be held on 30th June at The George in Longbridge Deverill. If you need a pig-me-up, these events really do put the ‘fun’ into fundraising.”
Annie Hickmott, chairperson of the Warminster and District RUH fundraising group said, “It was a fantastic fun night. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone, including local companies that sponsored the event. The Frome Town Rotary put on a brilliant evening and we were thrilled that they asked us to bring our infamous ‘Pig Racing ‘ to their first fundraising event and to support a cause that we are so passionate about.”
The Cancer Care Campaign was set up in 2013 by the Forever Friends Appeal, to support the build of a pioneering new Cancer Centre at the RUH in Bath. The new centre will be a state-of-the-art building which balances clinical expertise with the provision of a nurturing and therapeutic environment – that is focused on patient care and experience, family care, reducing stress and anxiety, whilst promoting health and optimism.
Lauren Noble, community fundraiser, The Forever Friends Appeal said, “I am continually amazed by the generosity and goodwill of the public at all of our events. The Warminster and District fundraising group’s commitment to the Cancer Care Campaign and their positive and fun-loving attitudes inspire individuals in our community which make the Pig Race Nights such a success!
“We are taking the opportunity to do something truly special – by building a new Cancer Centre that is centred on patient care and experience. It was wonderful to work with Andrew and The Frome Town Rotary Club to plan such a fantastic event and I’m excited to see what is in store for the future.’’
Frome Town Rotary Club is developing as a social group which undertakes volunteering and fundraising in the community, upholding the ideals of the Rotary movement. The Pig Race was their first event and they continue to be active around the town, with a silent disco planned in the next couple of months.
Andrew Lee, president of Frome Town Rotary said, “The Pig Racing night was great fun and we were very pleased with the amount of money we were able to raise. One of our members had recently lost her father to cancer and most of us have lost friends or family to cancer. The prospect of having the best treatment facility in the UK in our area is well worth supporting.”
For more information about The Forever Friends Appeal please visit: www. foreverfriendsappeal .co.uk.
