JCB Mud Run delivers huge cash boost for NSPCC
Nearly 3,000 entrants raise more than £55,000 for charity’s work with children in Staffs
A RECORD field of more than 2,850 entrants ensured this year’s JCB Mud Run was the most successful ever – delivering a cash boost of more than £55,000 for the NSPCC’s work with children in Staffordshire.
The event – now in its fourth year – has gone from strength to strength since it was first staged in 2012, when 500 people entered. This year’s record field attracted entrants from afar afield as Ireland, Norfolk, Devon, Essex, Yorkshire and Surrey, who slithered and clambered their way over more than 35 obstacles on land near JCB’s World Headquarters, near Rocester, watched by 5,000 spectators.
Among the runners this year was Commonwealth Games rowing silver medallist Nikki Spencer (left of photo), who entered the Mud Run with some of her fellow Nottingham Rowing Club members.
During the event a cheque for £55,018 was handed over to the NSPCC by George Bamford, son of JCB chairman Lord Bamford. This means JCB’s Mud Runs have raised at total of £175,000 for the NSPCC since they started.
George Bamford, who was competing in his third Mud Run, said: ‘This is a fantastic event which just gets better every year. The support and camaraderie as you go around the course is amazing.’
He continued: ‘I’d like to say a big thank you to every single person who has taken part. Their support of the JCB Mud Run will make a fantastic difference to the lives of so many children right here in Staffordshire.’
The NSPCC is JCB’s nominated charity and the proceeds of the event will be used at Carole House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the charity’s service centre which was set up after JCB and its employees completed a £2 million fundraising campaign. Carole House is named in honour of Lady Bamford and JCB’s support of the NSPCC over more than 30 years.
Kirsty White, NSPCC fundraising manager, said: ‘We are amazed at the amount this year’s JCB Mud Run has raised. Once again, the event has been a huge success and we want to thank all the 2,850 participants for taking part and braving the mud, all in aid of the NSPCC.’
