Community & Sponsorship
02. July 2019

Bott sponsor RNLI Bude Lifeboat Run

Bott are delighted to become the main sponsors of the Bude Lifeboat Run & Junior Run

The annual RNLI fundraising event, Bude Lifeboat Run and Junior Run, is organised by local running club Bude Rats, on behalf of the RNLI. To date the club has raised over £20,000.

Not quite the full cost of a new Shannon class lifeboat costing around £2.2m but comfortably able to provide full kit for 8 crew. Although this is Bott's first year as main headline sponsor, we have been part of the event’s corporate support team since 2014, supplying one of our distinctive trailers for the storage of runners’ kit.

 

Simon Fry, (Bott, Financial Director) said: "We are passionate about community support and working with charities organisations from around the local area of our various sites. We are confident that our relationship with the Bude Lifeboat Run and Junior Run will continue to blossom in the future".

Bude Lifeboat Run and Junior Run

For the first time in the 11 year history of the Bude Lifeboat Run both the Senior and the Junior competitions were sold out in advance of the race day (Weds 12th June), making for a record number of runners.

Competition was fierce but friendly and the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The organisers, volunteers and spectators, watched not only the strongly contested races but also as the runners fought to beat their own PB's.

The Junior competition set off in stages, based on age groups, to run the 1 mile race following a safe route along Bude's cycleways and canal towpath. The 450 entrants of the Senior race, part of the Cornish Multi-Terrain series, ran a different 6 mile single lap route to previous years, venturing over the hilly, cross country footpaths of the Whalesborough estate and making use of the Segway track as well as the flat canal towpath and cycleways.

Competition was fierce

All the children who took part in the junior race were awarded with a well-deserved medal and goody bag for their efforts, presented to them by Bott COO, Clive Woodward.

Of the 450 entrants in the senior race, Daniel Romeril (above left) came in first, at 36 minutes and 46 seconds. The ladies race winner was Olivia Stones (above right) from Leigh Harriers & AC, with a time of 39 minutes and 5 seconds. Clive Woodward said: “The RNLI charity and its volunteers provide an invaluable service for our local community, saving lives at sea and providing 24-hour search & rescue. Their commitment and dedication are appreciated by us all and in return, Bott are delighted to sponsor the annual Bude Lifeboat Run. Congratulations to all the runners who took part in both the Junior and Senior races”.

Two members of the Bott team also took part in the Senior's run. Emily Hartman (Financial Controller) came in at a solid 52 minutes and 4 seconds and Andrew Poole (Engineering Manager) followed closely at 54 minutes and 37 seconds.

Also pictured is Ben Rotheray (Online Retail Manager), who accompanied the bott Smartvan demo vehicle for the local community to see.

Next year's Lifeboat Run will be on 10th June, with entries opening 1st February 2020.

the Bott team

On behalf of Bude RNLI Lifeboat

Bude Lifeboat Press Officer, Lorna Crystal commented:

'On behalf of Bude RNLI Lifeboat I would like to say a huge thank you to all the runners who took part. I'd also like to thank the Bude Run and Tri (RATS) club with special thanks to Stephen Hutchinson, the race director, who works tirelessly to ensure the event runs smoothly. We are incredibly grateful to the generous sponsors, and all of the organisers and volunteers, including members of the running club, the RNLI volunteer crew and volunteers from the RNLI shop, fundraisers, supporters, RNLI lifeguards and members of the public who gave their time and energy to make it such a fantastic event. Last, but not least, thanks go out to all the supporters who came to the event and cheered on the runners. The incredible, continued support of Bude lifeboat means that the RNLI are able to provide a 24 hour service every single day to save lives at sea.