Launchpad’s annual pancake day race raises almost £8,000 as teams batter it out for glory

A total of £7,900, and counting, has been raised at Launchpad’s annual Pancake Race which saw teams batter it out on Broad Street on Shrove Tuesday, 21st February.

A team from creative agency TMW saw off all competition and took home the coveted frying pan trophy. Now in its 26th year, the race was sponsored by Reading based technology solutions company, TIEVA and Reading Town Centre BID (part of REDA, Reading’s Economy & Destination Agency). All the money raised will help fund Launchpad’s vital services for people who are homeless, or at risk of losing their home.

Teams of four from businesses across Reading raced in fancy dress after a lively warm up at Broad Street Mall – led by fitness instructor, Maggie Watkins. Teams then paraded to Broad Street where they flipped pancakes as they relay raced through knock-out races, semi-finals, and a gripping final, all compered by Gavin Harris from B Radio in front of an egg-static crowd of spectators, including the Mayor of Reading, Rachel Eden.

The final was a hotly contested race with teams from planning and development consultancy, Lichfields, creative agency TMW and IT company, Air IT giving their all to win top prize.

Our winners, TMW received the first prize of a Cocktail Masterclass for four at The Roseate, and runners up, Air IT were given vouchers to spend at Shed cafe. Vouchers for Blue Collar Corner Bar and Street Food were awarded to Lichfields for third place. The team from Aldermore raised over £400 and won a Revolución de Cuba voucher for the highest fundraising total.

Davis Tate – who raced as characters from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – won best fancy dress and received cocktails for four at High Spirits. Metro Bank won the award for best team spirit, with a prize of cocktails for four at Novotel.

Kirsti Wilson, Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “It’s so wonderful that the pancake race has been embraced by the local business community – 36 teams signed up this year and we had more on a waiting list! The costumes were as incredible as ever, with Peaky Blinders rubbing shoulders with Oompa-Loompas and astronauts. We’re also grateful to the hundreds of people that cheered on the runners – the race just wouldn’t be the same without them. Our joyful and silly event has a very serious purpose – to raise essential funds and awareness that we are here for anyone that has become homeless, or is threatened by homelessness, regardless of their personal circumstances. In these challenging times this is a vital message.”