27-03-2025
BBC-inspired Race Across West Yorkshire event raises £40,000
Teams from across Yorkshire have raised more than £40,000 for Forget Me Not children's hospice through a racing challenge.
The Race Across West Yorkshire event, on Friday, March 21, was inspired by the BBC show Race Across the World and saw 20 teams of two from local businesses race around seven secret checkpoints, including Bradford's Alhambra Theatre and the Salt Brewery in Saltaire.
The teams were handed a set of maps, a travel card, snacks, and drinks, as well as a small amount of money to buy food, at 7am - and told they had 12 hours to get around all seven checkpoints, which would be revealed throughout the day.
Among the competing teams was 'Simple Tim,' representing Joda Freight, and featuring Tim Smart (left) and Shaun Metcalfe (Image: Supplied)
They tried to find their way around without their phones or wallets.
Beginning their quest at Arthur's Café in Mirfield, the teams then had to visit Forget Me Not's charity shop on Trinity Walk in Wakefield, Junction 32 Retail Park in Castleford, Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds, the Salt Brewery in Saltaire, the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, Halifax Piece Hall, and finally Russell House, Forget Me Not's children's hospice in Huddersfield.
Also competing were the Bradford Bulls team consisting of Rebecca Ball-Knight (left) and Natalie Moorhouse (Image: Supplied)
The teams all carried a mascot throughout the day, purchased at the Forget Me Not shop in Wakefield.
The fastest team to get around all seven checkpoints was the 'Baby Reindeers' team, representing vehicle incident management company FMG.
After the race, at the John Smith Stadium in Huddersfield, team members and supporters from Bradford Bulls women's rugby team, Keighley-based haulage firm Joda Freight, Anchor Hanover Group (regional office in Bradford), FMG, The RRG Group, First Bus North and West Yorkshire, AFP Digital, CDUK, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Fullers Foods International, Froneri, HSBC, Cerberus Group, Ossett Brewery, Colourcube Automotive Accident Repair Centre, and Muslin Hall Garage gathered to hear the winners and share their stories.
One of the checkpoints was the Salt Brewery in Saltaire (Image: Supplied)
They also heard from Hollie Shaw, 21, one of the first young people to stay at the children's hospice, and her mother, Leah Fairbank, about how much they have enjoyed and benefited from the support of Forget Me Not.
Last year, the charity supported 264 children, mums, dads, siblings, and grandparents from Bradford, either at Russell House in Huddersfield or in families' own homes.
The winners were announced after the event at the John Smith Stadium in Huddersfield (Image: Mark Flynn Photography)
Gareth Pierce, Forget Me Not chief executive, said: "It's been so heartening to hear about the wonderful reception all the contestants got as they travelled round West Yorkshire in their Forget Me Not hoodies."
The combined fundraising total from all 20 teams is currently more than £40,000.
