Components Bureau produces the perfect relay!

Components Bureau Ltd staff members were the proud winners of a magnum of champagne for their grand effort in raising over £1200 for two local charities.  Managing Director, Cheng Yoe, led his team "The Y Factor", in one of Cambridgeshire’s largest annual charity races and raised the highest amount of sponsorship.  Fellow team mate, Commercial Manager Andrew Ferrier, is seen here collecting the award.

Cheng said: “Our company has run in the race for a number of years and we always enjoy taking part in this great event. We were especially pleased this year to have our efforts recognised in this way and hope that the money we raised for these two worthy charities will be useful.”

Mike Hughes, partner at race sponsors Grant Thornton added: “A special congratulations to Components Bureau for raising the highest amount of sponsorship. We encourage teams each year to raise as much money as possible for the charities and the good causes they support.”

The race follows in the heroic footsteps of the famous film “Chariots of Fire”, taking its scenic route through the streets and colleges of Cambridge, with teams of six running a 1.7 mile course in relay format. The film tells the story of a Cambridge runner’s bid to win a gold medal in the 1924 Olympics and includes the iconic scene of the race around Trinity College Great Court. The first charity race took place in 1992 and this year a total of £70,000 was raised in the biggest ever race, seeing over 400 teams participate. 

Each year different charities are selected to receive the sponsorship money raised by the event and over the last 16 years over £710, 000 has been raised in total for a wide variety of worthy causes.  In 2008, two local charities were selected to benefit from the funds raised; Red Balloon and Romsey Mill. Red Balloon provides a safe learning environment for children in the local community who are suffering from the severe effects of bullying. Romsey Mill provides vital opportunities for disadvantaged young people and families in and around Cambridge.

Charles Hewitson, Race Director and Senior Partner at Hewitsons said, “We were delighted with the amount raised from the event, which is a testimony to the fantastic efforts of the runners involved in the race. The money will be an essential boost for the building works taking place at the Red Balloon Learner Centre and will fund various localised projects with disadvantaged young families and youngsters at Romsey Mill.”

A cheque presentation was held on Wednesday January 14, when £35,000 was awarded to each of the charities. This money was raised by the 420 teams that entered the race in September 2008.

Components Bureau Ltd would like to thank all the team's supporters for their generous sponsorship.