Wheelbarrow capers at Mansfield Woodhouse raise thousands for charity

An estimated 500 people thronged the streets as competitors clad in 70s-themed costumes raced from pub to pub.

This year the Spring Bank Holiday event is estimated to have raised a grand total of more than £7,000 for various charities.

Organiser Cheryl Broughton, landlady at the Sunnydale Inn said: “It was absolutely fantastic and everyone had a really good time.”

Miss Mansfield started the race and an ABBA tribute band belted out the hits.

A record 28 barrow racers entered this year, raising a total of £4,954 for all the charities involved, including the Yeoman Park special needs school in Mansfield, King’s Mill Hospice and Cancer Research.

Cheryl added: “There were Star War characters, lycra clad and sequinned rugby players with Afros, Batman and Robin and Woody Woodpeckers - it was a really good fun day.

“It started raining at 3pm but we were so British - people put up their umbrellas and danced to Abba.”

The first men’s team was from the Angel Inn, fundraising for Diabetes UK, who completed the trek around nine pubs in just 30 minutes.

The winning women’s team from the Anvil managed the course in 58 minutes.

The best mixed team from The Coopers, fundraising for Help For Heroes, achieved a creditable 61 minutes.

Most cash raised was by the Sunnydale team, who raised £910 for Cancer Research.

The best effort category went to the Fairways, whose cross-dressing craziness on a Star Wars theme included strapping Ian Patterson dressed in a fetching Princess Lea outfit.

Money raised from raffles, tombolas and other donations, including £500 from Mansfield Brewery, is expected to push the total raised to more than £7,000.

Where you there?

See our video of the Wheelbarrow Race at www.chad.co.uk