By Malcom Reece

Cystic Fibrosis, Cancer Research, British Red Cross, the Sudan Emergency Fund and many other worthy causes benefited on Sunday (12th Sept) when Ipswich Orwell Rotary Club staged its annual Alton Water Challenge.

Those who took part this year pleased themselves how they completed the eight miles circuit of the reservoir. A large number of people got on their bikes, while others walked fast, slow and indifferently – and one went around the circuit so fast we couldn’t believe our eyes when he reported back to us for his certificate.

It’s well worth recording that this person, Guays Atkins, of Manningtree, completed the distance in 57min 24sec and by doing it under the hour all his sponsors had to pay him double. We could do with a few more like him for next year’s effort!

The latest figure on the amount raised is about £3,200, which means that President Alan’s chosen charity, Cystic Fibrosis, will benefit by well over £1,000.

As organiser of this year’s event, I was delighted by the amount of help I received, particularly from President Alan, Vice President Eddie Marsh, Gordon Kember, Carole Lockett and Immediate Past President Derek Firmin. If I have forgotten anyone they have my permission to kick me later.

As a footnote, it’s worth mentioning that many Rotarians, although knowing the date of the event months in advance, still managed to be away or unable to help on the day. I wonder if next year they might enter the date in their diaries in large letters and offer a helping hand. This might possibly enable the same old faces, who seem to turn up every year, to take a day off!