Snowball Rally raises 10k

Mon 23 November 09

11 teams spent 3 days trying to ski and board as many of the countries dry and artificial slopes as possible, in a massive effort to raise funds for youth charity Snow-Camp

Winning team rides 26 slopes in 3 days!
The first ever Snowball Rally came to a close on Saturday after months of planning and with the support of ski centres up and down the country. 11 teams spent 3 days trying to ski and board as many of the countries dry and artificial slopes as possible, in a massive effort to raise funds for youth charity Snow-Camp.

Setting off from the Milton Keynes SNO!zone, teams collected points for every slope they rode, with the points available increasing for slopes further from the starting point. Cornish trio George, Mike and Pat from Team Kernow Sessions were crowned 2009 Champions, riding an amazing 26 slopes in the time allowed including Plymouth, Dorset, Southampton, Halifax, Sheffield and Castleford. The team will be celebrating in the French Alps this winter having won the top prize of a ski holiday donated by P&V holidays.

Sponsorship raised by each participating team combined with fundraising and an auction held at the Rally after Party raised a total of over £10,000 for Snow-Camp’s work with inner city young people. Corporate sponsorship from SNO!zone, Base Camp, SCUK, Snowsport England and FBBB all ensured a successful and well supported event.

Snow-Camp Director Dan Charlish said, ‘We have been totally amazed at the effort and commitment that teams have shown in making this first ever Rally such a success. Teams returned with all kinds of stories and adventures from their road trip around the countries ski slopes. They rode in all conditions and at all hours dressed as gorillas, Santa Claus, Ali G, comedy cows and Super Mario – just to earn the extra 20 fancy dress points available!’

Top fundraisers were Team Jackrabbitt, who completed the entire Rally dressed in bright orange boiler suits, and won themselves a ski holiday by fundraising over £2,400 for Snow-Camp.

The idea for the Snowball Rally was dreamt up by two Snow-Camp volunteers, Rich Brown and Steve Marsh, who worked as volunteers on Snow-Camp’s programmes in the French Alps last winter. After their experience in the Alps they wanted to launch a competitive event that would bring together teams of snowsports enthusiasts to raise funds for Snow-Camp’s ongoing work, and have a great time in the process!

Rich Brown said, ‘It’s been an awesome experience. The response from the slopes my team visited over the 3 days was all so positive - they all want to enter teams next year! And to have got 37 slopes on board for the first ever Rally shows the level of support for the event, we couldn’t have done it without them. We aim to do it bigger and better in 2010!’

The Snowball Rally concluded with a huge party held at the Milton Keynes SNO!zone, where the slope was open late for Snowball Rally competitors to complete the final slope of their challenge. The SNO! Bar then hosted the Rally after-party and awards ceremony, with DJ’s from FBBB playing the tunes and everyone celebrating their achievements over a well earned beer!

To enter your team for next year, discuss sponsorship, find out more about the event or arrange an interview with Snow-Camp staff please check out the Snow-Camp website www.snow-camp.co.uk

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