
Mike Seaman, CEO, Raccoon Events was joined by host of runners to run 24-7 throughout Lockdown 1 to raise over £40,000 for charity
Raccoon Events, the company behind the multi award-winning National Running Show, National Snow Show, National Outdoor Expo and National Cycling Show portfolio, has scooped the prize for
Best Covid Lockdown Fundraising Initiative.
Indoor Relay, an initiative started by Raccoon Events and a number friends during lockdown, smashed its original target of £10,000 by raising a staggered £43,377 in just 28 days. The funds were donated to five key charities – NHS Charities Together, NSPCC, Mind, Children with Cancer UK and Women’s Aid – that have been under increased pressure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event, kicked off by five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, ran for 682 hours over 28 days with the baton being passed to a new runner every hour. 425 individual runners took part covering a total of 3028.26 miles (from John O’Groats to Land’s End more than 3.4 times) around their gardens, houses and driveways. Along with Jo Pavey who opened and closed the event, Louise Minchin from BBC Breakfast, former Hear’Say star Suzi Shaw, endurance athlete Mimi Anderson and ultra-runner Susie Chan, all took part in the fundraising relay.
Aware that many people weren’t able to get outside to take their daily exercise, the team decided the relay should take place within the boundary of each runners’ home using a range of innovative ‘courses’ including balconies, driveways, gardens, treadmills, sitting rooms and even home-made obstacle courses. Participants were encouraged to be active during their hour by running or walking but there were some wackier options, including skipping, tango dancing and even shadow boxing! Over the 28 days, several participants came up with innovative ways to increase the fund-raising during their hour, including multiple fancy dress outfits, leg waxing, chilli eating, running barefoot on Lego, and ‘doughnut roulette’!
A team of 26 ‘Captains’ ensured that runners were accompanied at all times during the event and on behalf of the captains, Mike Seaman, CEO at Raccoon Events, said: “We are thrilled with the phenomenal success of The Indoor Relay and are immensely proud of what we achieved together as a community. Winning this award is the cherry on the cake. Like many in the industry we were distraught to have to cancel and postpone events last year. This challenge gave us a purpose through that difficult time, and it is amazing what you can achieve with a positive attitude and determination. Thank you to everyone who was involved, it was a campaign we will never forget.”
Raoul Monk from Flume Training, one of the thought-leaders and team captains throughout the campaign, commented:
“The Indoor Relay was one of the most inspirational experiences of my life. Having initially approached Mike Seaman of Racoon Events with an idea. To bring together a group of people to run during the lockdown and raise so many donations for charities who could make an incredible difference to people severely suffering due to lockdown.
The speed and agility and expertise that Mike and the team demonstrated to develop the idea and execute the event was incredible.”
Avid runner Doug Emslie, CEO of Tarsus Group, said:
“The Indoor relay reflected all that is great about our industry. At one of the toughest times anyone has seen the industry got together to raise money for incredible charities that we’re really struggling to get support and not only hit the original target but smashed it numerous times over the weeks that the running was taking place. It also highlights the creativity within our community with some of the activities that took place in fancy dress, using obstacle courses and engaging whole families. One of the few warming highlights in lockdown.”
Raccoon Events are thrilled to be bringing live events back with The National Running Show South at Farnborough International, 11-12 September 2021. Event professionals are invited to attend the show free of charge with promotional code: MSEAMAN https://nationalrunningshow.com/south