News Archive
Boxing Day Fun for Festive Charity Event in Scarborough
22nd Dec 2008
Hundreds of people staying in Scarborough hotels are expected to turn up to watch two of Scarborough’s best-loved Christmas traditions.
The annual Boxing Day charity line-up of comic football match and crazy raft race promise to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Liz Blades, one of the main organisers for the event and secretary for the Fishermen and Firemen charity fund, told the Scarborough Evening News: “Last year we raised more than £1,000 and we are hoping to at least match that this year.”
The extravaganza kicks off with the annual comic football match at 10.30am.
Many of the men taking part have done so for a number of years. This year’s captains, Billy Blades for the Firemen and Allan Richmond for the Fishermen, have been playing in the match for 37 years.
The match takes place on South Bay, near our Scarborough hotel, beach next to the Lifeboat House and will be referreed by Fred Normandale. It will be kicked off by Scarborough’s mayor, Eileen Vickers.
It is followed by the crazy raft race at around 12.30pm in the harbour.
All rafts are homemade and manned by a minimum of three crew. Helpers will be on hand to sell flour-bombs and collect donations from the public for the Fishermen and Firemen fund.
Club members Gary Bolt and friend Edmund Ulliott have made the sub aqua club’s raft for the first time.
Mr Bolt also said: “The raft takes about eight people and is made up of bits of all sorts! I couldn’t tell you what they all are – but there is lots of gaffer tape involved! It could be interesting come Boxing Day.”
Organiser Colin Lawson told the Scarborough Evening News: “The event has featured at the seafront every year now since 1972. It is a fabulous event for a great homegrown charity.
“We always hope the weather won’t be too cold and of course a good turnout of rafts. We always look forward to it – it is a good day and it is a worthwhile charity to raise money for.
“But most of all it is the crowd that comes to watch both the football event and the raft race which make it so special.”
Other fun activities include “looney tunes” from the Comic Band and the traditional mile of pennies stretching from the Lifeboat House all the way along the seafront.
Mrs Blades added: “We are expecting a great day as usual, lots of fun and Christmas cheer for the festivities.
