Sponsor named for town’s Soap Box Derby event
The Hunstanton Soap Box Derby has had a name change this year as Searles Leisure Resort has been announced as the main event sponsor.
West Norfolk Council, which organises the event, and Searles have signed a one-year deal with an option to sponsor the event again in the future.
The Soap Box Derby returns on September 23 following its success last year.
Elizabeth Nockolds, deputy leader and cabinet member for Culture, Heritage and Health, said: “The Soap Box Derby was a wonderfully successful event in 2017, and we’re delighted to have struck a sponsorship deal with a prominent local business that should help make the event bigger and better for 2018.
“The Searles Soap Box Derby will be a day packed with free family entertainment, so make sure you come along and enjoy the fun.”
Fifty teams will race hand-built karts down Hunstanton’s hilly streets, thrilling the crowds of thousands that are expected to attend.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Searles will delegate some charitable fundraising opportunities to the newly-established Hunstanton 4T5 Club.
The club mirrors many initiatives around the country. When Round Table members have to retire from the club at the age of 45 they often set up clubs for men aged 45 and over, to provide a way of continuing friendships and charity fundraising activity.
The club, which is applying to become a registered charity, will be fundraising at the event through a gin tent on The Green, bucket collections and banner advertising for businesses, with all the money raised going to good causes.
Paul Searle, director of Searles and chairman of the 4T5 club, said: “As a business we’re pleased to work with the borough council to promote this great event.
“We hope that the Searles Soap Box Derby will draw another huge crowd of residents and visitors and show them what Hunstanton has to offer.
“And as the 4T5 Club it gives us something to get our teeth into to begin raising money for good causes.”
Entries for the Searles Soap Box Derby are still open at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/hunstantonevents but interested teams are advised to apply soon as there are only a few places left.
The event promises a day of family entertainment starting at 10am, including live music, stalls, and a gin tent.
Racing starts at noon, and the winners’ presentations will take place on The Green at 5pm.
The course will start in Boston Square and continue along Cliff Parade alongside the Heritage Gardens and finish at the mini-roundabout.
The Soap Box Derby is one of the activities that form part of the Hunstanton Heritage Gardens project, which is funded by the borough council and the National Lottery through a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund.
