New Fundraiser proves great success – despite the weather!

Earlier this year, four members of the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket travelled to Malawi to follow up on a number of international projects that we have supported in recent years. One of these projects began in 2012 when a member of our team had visited the local “Chitipi” primary school and was moved to discover youngsters having lessons  outside under trees due to the lack of classrooms. Classes would be completely disrupted whenever it rained - which was often.

Since then, Becket has built a total of six new classrooms at Chitipi and so we returned to see how things were going. As expected, the new rooms had made an incredible difference and so much so that a lot more children were now attending. To cope with this increased demand, the school desperately needs three more classrooms. 

Back in the UK, and with the full support of the Becket Club, an ambitious new plan was approved, and all focus turned to raising the funds required – a target of £25,000.

Our first major fundraiser was quickly agreed – the “Becket Derby Day”; a fun new Hobby Horse racing and BBQ event, set for mid-July in the hope of good weather. 

Unfortunately, after the hottest June on record, we were out of luck. The weather had been bad enough in the days before, when members, their families and friends had all pitched in to help prepare the site. But on the day……….

Just as the race meeting opened, the big black cloud that had been hovering to the East was blown in rather less gracefully than Mary Poppins by the extremely windy weather and everyone had to run for cover. Fortunately, after fifteen minutes of holding on to tent poles and with us wondering if the event would get off the ground (literally!), to everyone’s relief the rain eased, blue skies returned, and the fun could start. 

The course, with seven mini-fences, had been cleverly prepared in the centre of the showground encircled by marquees on three sides to create a brilliant grandstand atmosphere.

Our six races had been kindly sponsored, and all horses bought and named in advance, to create a full race day programme. Our 150 ish guests were duly invited to place their bets on “Big Boy”, “Gunnabeglue” or “Fifty Shades of Hay”, to name but a few.  At the back of the tombola tent, six volunteer jockeys eagerly donned their superb colours and mounted their exquisitely crafted Hobby Horses before taking positions on the starting grid.

We were then “Off!”, and if their number on two large inflated dice came up, each rider could happily advance over one fence at a time. With wind assisted dice rolling all over the place, a pacey commentary from our MC and racey music from DJ Dave, the excitement built. The spectators cheered for their favourite jockeys, the horses they owned, the ones they had money on, or just the fact it had stopped raining! Winnings were joyfully collected, new bets quickly placed, and we were off again.

Becket Founder Members were “volunteered” as riders for the first race by the MC, but he was soon being chased by punters keen to be the next jockeys. Ladies’ and Children’s races followed, then a pause for all to catch their breath and enjoy a delicious two-course BBQ.

After the break, there were two more nail-biting races, then the five previous winners were joined by a reluctant sixth jockey Terry, the event leader, to take part in the final and closest race of the day - The Becket Derby.

Whatever the outcome in the bookies tent, everyone had great fun during what turned out to be a superb event despite the weather.  The first Becket Derby Day has proved very successful raising at last count over £5,800 with donations still coming in. If you would like to support our fundraising efforts please visit the Our Total Giving Page.

https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/ChitipiSchool