Brave volunteers have until 5pm on Wednesday November 24 to apply for Birmingham’s annual Thomas Vale Pantomime Horse Grand National.
This year’s Broad Street race will be held on Sunday November 28 and anyone interested in applying should go to www.birmingham.gov.uk/pantohorse to download the application form or call 0121 303 3008.
The entrance fee is £50 and can be raised through sponsorship, with the winner of each race (one for colts (boys), one for fillies (girls)) receiving a bottle of champagne and a trophy.
The event raises money for the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal, which this year is supporting the Burns Centre (at Birmingham Children’s Hospital), Birmingham PHAB Camps, The Stroke Association and BID Services (previously known as Birmingham Institute for the Deaf).
Entrants will be given one-person costumes to dress in and race along the course, cheered on by the crowds as they negotiate jumps and obstacles in their bid to become the champion! The fun event helps to kick off the start of the pantomime season in true British style – in homage to the famous Grand National at Aintree.
The route will start on Broad Street outside the House of Sport, run down to Oozells Street and then back down Broad Street to finish just before Paradise Circus. All contestants are invited to a reception following the event, to thank them for their involvement.
Cllr Martin Mullaney, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture said, “This event is free for spectators to enjoy and is part of Birmingham’s family friendly programme of Christmas events and attractions. By participating in the race riders are raising money for local good causes. I have no doubt that even in these difficult times, warm-hearted Brummies will dig deep to help people who are less fortunate than themselves.”
The Thomas Vale Pantomime Horse Grand National is organised by Birmingham City Council. For more information on Christmas events in Birmingham, please call 0121 303 3008 or go to http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/pantohorse
ENDS
Media contact: Jason Lewis on 0121 303 4266 or 07766 923 352 or email jason.lewis@birmingham.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
Sunday 28th November schedule
- 11.30am Entrants arrive for registration
- 12.30pm Entrants change into costume
- 1pm Warm up and Parade
- 1.30pm Fillies Grand National
- 1.45pm Colts Grand National
- 2pm Thomas Vale Contractors Race
- 2.30pm Prize-winning presentations
- 3pm Reception
Broad Street will be closed to traffic from Oozells Street to Bridge Street between 9:30am – 5pm, with access to frontages only.
Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal 2010-11
The good causes for 2010-11 that will be supported by the Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal, represent a combination of new initiatives and existing charities:
- Burns Centre (at Birmingham Children’s Hospital)
- Birmingham PHAB Camps
- The Stroke Association, Birmingham Branch
- BID Services
More information on these charities is available on the website www.birmingham.gov.uk/lordmayor
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