282 teams registered resulting in around 1600 people descending on Queen's Green for this popular fundraiser on Sunday 19 March. Thank you to all those who have donated, sponsored or are continuing to donate or sponsor. Your support is greatly appreciated and we are getting very close to making the dream of a new shop a reality!
To view the photo gallery and more information about the day, please visit https://www.hcrlaw.com/news/from-disco-dancers-to-dinosaurs-1600-runners-take-on-chariots-of-fire/
News of the final total raised is expected to be shared in late May/June 2023.
Chariots of Fire is one of Cambridgeshire's largest annual charity events. Teams of six each run a 1.7 miles course in relay format. Chariots of Fire is organised and managed by HCR Hewitsons Charitable Trust. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the very first Chariots of Fire race and also marks Arthur Rank Hospice Charity's 40th Anniversary. We're delighted to celebrate this milestone together.
The race starts and ends on Queens Green. Each runner will follow a picturesque and unique 1.7-mile route through some of Cambridges historic city centre and world-renowned Cambridge University Colleges, over the Cam and along the Backs, before passing on the baton to the next runner at Queens Green and the sixth and final runner of each team crosses the finish line.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its Outstanding services, which will cost £11.51 million in 2022/2023, are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Income from NHS contracted services is budgeted at £7.07 million, meaning that £4.44 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target. For further information, please visit arhc.org.uk
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity plan to use the funds raised through Chariots of Fire to help support the expansion of the Charitys retail business, which is part of our new five-year strategy. The expansion will involve a new Retail Hub and a fleet of vans, which will be needed to support its existing five shops and 10 planned new outlets. The Charity project the impact of this growth will see their retail income grow to £2.3million in year five. Creating vital funds that will help keep the Charitys services running and ensuring outstanding care (as recognised by the Care Quality Commission) can be delivered to those living with an advanced illness or those at the end of life.
The Charity, with the support of HCR Hewitsons, have set an ambitious target of £71k, the amount needed to open and operate a charity shop for one year. Charity shops are not only crucial in raising essential income for much needed hospice and end of life care, they are also integral in helping to increase awareness of their work whilst engaging people in the communities in which they are situated. They bring affordable clothing and bric-a-brac to the doorsteps of people in the community, support recycling, which is good for the environment, and provide a variety of opportunities for volunteers as well as creating new jobs.
Donna Talbot, Director of Communications and Income Generation at the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity said:
We thank everyone for their patience whilst the committee have been working to secure a new date. More than £27,000 has already been raised through our Just Giving page. We hope as well as those already registered, more teams will be inspired to enter and help reach our target. As we embark on an exciting new year, we would love to see even more people commit to this iconic sporting challenge and fundraiser, so that together we can make every moment count for our patients and their loved ones.
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