Soap Box Derby Is Back!
For a day of fun and fund-raising don’t miss the thrills and spills of Longridge Soap Box Derby
Berry Lane in Longridge will be transformed once again on Sunday 15th September for the third running of the town’s annual Soap Box Derby.
Following the enormous success of last year’s race, event organiser Love Longridge is confident this year’s race will be the best yet. With 31 kart teams signed up, racing will start at 10am on the downhill track. Launched from an elevated start ramp, the teams will have to negotiate four jumps before the finish line, propelled only by gravity, brilliant engineering and sleek aerodynamics – okay we made the last two up!
The fun-filled, family-orientated event chimes with the fantastic community spirit in Longridge. In addition to the racing there will be street stalls, a food plaza and children’s area. Last year, over 7,000 spectators attended and the organisers are hoping for the same level of support from residents and visitors this time around.
One of the major elements of the day is the contribution to charity raised from corporate sponsorship, kart fees and pitch fees. Event organiser Gary Ward from Love Longridge told Live Ribble Valley: “Local businesses have supported this initiative since day one. Last year £25,000 was raised for St Catherine’s Hospice, which does such incredible work supporting our community in its hour of greatest need. That would simply not be possible without the generous backing of the town’s businesses. I must pay particular tribute to Raymond James Ribble Valley, which has been the event’s principal sponsor for the three years we have held the race.”
Speaking after last year’s event, John Chesworth of St Catherine’s Hospice commented: “We are so grateful to the people of Longridge for getting behind Soap Box Derby and St Catherine’s. The sum raised will pay the salary of a nursing assistant for one year. With only 19 beds in the Hospice we have to help people in a community setting. The funds raised from Soap Box help us to provide just that. We are delighted to be the race’s charity partner once again in 2024.”
Put 15th September in your diary now – it promises to be a great day in Longridge!
A DAY OF FUN NOT TO BE MISSED!
LONGRIDGE SOAP BOX DERBY
15th September 2024
