Carnival Pram Race's crazy fun raises charity cash

PIRATES, doctors, a nappy-wearing "baby" and an unsinkable boat '“ madcap humour was the keynote of Carnival's first Pram Race.

Tuesday evening's charity race was a test of stamina - and of drinking capacity.

The rules were simple. No motorised devices.

But after leaving the starting grid at Bexhill West, pushers and passengers had to visit ELEVEN other town centre pubs at least one team member downing a drink in each while the rest of the team collected for Carnival and for the charity of the team's choice.

The venture was the first of a series of innovations planned by Bexhill Carnival Committee.

For organiser Steve Bossom and the committee it proved to be such a fund-raiser and such FUN for the participants that it is a certainty for Carnival Week 2009.

Crazy Ladies, that was the name of the Bell Hotel's team. The cutlass-wielding pirates were flying the Jolly Roger on their fearsome craft.

Even before the start the buccaneers had raised 500 in sponsorship for Glyne Gap School.

Natalie Corke, Kerry Preece, Abi Preece, Ashlyn Cahill and Penny Denwood were taking no prisoners as they prepared to set sail.

A more modest approach was adopted by The Sportsman's threesome. Providing the motive force for their wheelchair were Kim Lewis and Tracy Davis. But nappy-wearing "baby" Sheila Funnell set the tone.

The slogan on her bib read: "Mums' and Dads' sex and drugs and rock-n-roll."

They started the evening with 300 in the charity kitty..

What appeared to be a trike on steroids was the foundation of the Marshview Builders' mode of transport.

Less metal went into the building of the Titanic than into this over-engineered chassis. Above this was a timber-framed, cardboard-bodied creation.

Crew members Tim Jarred, Dominic Hanlon. Rob Thompson and Adam Lee claimed it was a "green machine" which had been re-cycled.

The white-coated "doctors" sported a stethoscope and had already collected 50 for Cystic Fibrosis before the start.

Then The York's four rowed into view '“ vengeance in mind.

They were still smarting because their entry in the Rowing Club's Fun Regatta had been disqualified on some minor technicality.

Their "Mark II" was a push-chair sporting a rowing boat bow, crafted in choicest cardboard.