The fifth annual JCB Mud Run was recently held in Staffordshire, raising over £55,000 for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The event saw over 2,500 people take on an assault course that included monkey bars, climbing walls and a 100ft underground tunnel.
Those taking part included George Bamford, son of JCB chairman, Lord Bamford.
George said, “This is my 4th JCB Mud Run and every year the event just gets better. It’s fantastic to see so many people taking part and not only enjoying themselves immensely but raising a fantastic amount of money for the NSPCC as well.
He added, “The JCB Mud Run is a great example of camaraderie, people helping others through the mud – that’s the kind of thing that it embodies. It has been amazing this year and it has been great seeing the smiles on people’s faces.”
George presented a cheque for £55,256 to the NSPCC along with Zoe Cooper, 37, of Newcastle-under-Lyme, her brothers Ben and Sam Watts and sister-in-law Jayne Watts. The family were part of a group of 30, running in memory of Zoe’s husband Andy, who worked for JCB and was a strong supporter of the event since it started. They raised over £6,300 for mental health charity Mind.
Zoe said, “The run was brilliant. Everybody was helping each other out. I feel I have taken Andy along with me on the run – he has been laughing at us covered in mud. It was great to come together and do something so positive in memory of Andy.
“He loved to do the Mud Run and to have so many people taking part was a wonderful tribute to him. Andy suffered from mental health issues all his life and to have raised so much money for Mind is amazing and I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us.”
Commenting on the event, Kirsty White, NSPCC partnership manager, said, “On behalf of the team at Carole House, I’d like to say a big thank you to JCB for digging deep and hosting the Mud Run as part of their ongoing support for our work with the most vulnerable children in Staffordshire. Huge thanks also to all the mud-lovers who have braved this amazing obstacle course and raised vital funds to help keep children safe from harm.”
Since starting in 2012 the JCB Mud Run has raised more than £230,000.
