The Big Push 2011

Around £5,000 is expected to have been raised by a charity trolley dash through the streets of Coventry and Warwickshire.

Eleven teams took part in the annual Big Push in aid of The Grace Research Fund which funds research into premature births and the best forms of neonatal care at the University Hospital in Coventry, George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, Warwick Hospital and the University of Warwick.

Reena Parmar, Faye Bradley, Isobel McDermott and Bill Andrews were the first to complete the 12-mile course in two hours 15 minutes.

Prizes were awarded by Her Honour Judge Pat Deeley to the two best decorated trollies, Colin Mountjoy’s Ollie in his Castle team which featured Colin, Rachel, Imogen (six) and Olivia (three) and the Harry Potter and the Philosophers Kidney Stone team which was made up of Neil Glendinning, Emma Thompson, Pt Ryan and Donna McLean.

And the overall prize went to The Toy Story team led by Eleanor Tham who raised the largest amount of £1750.

Generous passers-by en-route donated a further £165 from bucket collections.

The teams set off from two routes – the Clarendon Arms in Kenilworth and the Greyhound Inn in Sutton Stop with all entrants finishing at the University Hospital.

Dr Andy Coe, Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital, said all the money raised would fund continued research into helping premature babies and their families.

“It was a great sight to see everyone taking part in fancy dress as they set off pushing their trollies,” he said.

“There were some fantastic trolley creations and people had gone to a great deal of trouble.

“There weren’t too many blisters at the end and all the runners and stewards then came along to a BBQ at the hospital’s social club.

“The camaraderie is always high among the teams and we would like to thank everyone who put their change into the buckets along the routes as well as sponsored the teams who took part in the challenge.

“We were delighted with the amount we have raised as well as the backing we received from our sponsors which included the Clarendon Arms, Deeley Group, The Assembly, Rowley Autos and Harrison Beale and Owen.”