Clive Anderson puts Parliament on standby for pancake race
Teams from the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Fourth Estate (the media) line up opposite Parliament on College Green at 10.15am on Shrove Tuesday, 20th February for a pancake race in support of brain injury charity Rehab UK.
The 2007 Parliamentary Pancake Race sees both Parliamentary teams determined to fight back after their 2006 defeat at the hand of the media team.
The starter for this prestigious event will be Clive Anderson. The broadcaster, writer and wit will also be on hand to ensure that the Rules of Engagement are strictly observed during the event – including a ban on throwing ingredients at other competitors and strict guidelines on what constitutes gentlemanly and gentlewomanly behaviour!
All sides are keeping their final team selection a secret until the morning of the event itself, but the Commons team is expected to feature veteran pancake racers Lindsay Hoyle, MP for Chorley, and Dr Brian Iddon, MP for Bolton South East, along with Betty Williams, MP for Conwy, Jeremy Hunt, MP for SW Surrey, and Justine Greening, MP for Putney.
The Lord’s team boasts bags of experience, with at least three previous runners returning for revenge. Lord Morris is expected to line up alongside Lord Dholakia and Baroness Scott, with the rest of the team still to be announced.
The media team is keeping its cards close to its chest, but with several television representatives expected to be there from both the BBC and ITN, all eyes will be on the starter for strict impartiality!
Mystery also surrounds the final team, strongly fancied by many as the ‘dark horse’ of the race. Made up of chefs from sponsors Aramark Ltd, it is thought their technical batter know-how might give them a real advantage on the day.
Kevin Purvis from Rehab UK said: “The race ahead is a thrilling prospect, with the media as reigning champions facing intense pressure if they are to retain their title.
“This event, together with Brain Injury Week next month, is an important part of our work to raise awareness of the situation of brain injury survivors across the UK. Whoever takes the title, Rehab UK is proud to have such great supporters running for this cause.”
– ends –
Notes to editor
1. The Parliamentary Pancake Race takes place at 10.30am on Shrove Tuesday (February 20th) opposite the Houses of Parliament on College Green, to support Rehab UK in its work for people with brain injury.The two Houses of Parliament will compete in the race along with members of the Fourth Estate (the media) and a team of chefs from sponsors Aramark.
2. Through this event, the Lords and Commons have supported for a decade the organisers, Rehab UK, a national charity concerned with the needs of people with brain injury and their return to employment and their appropriate place in the community.
3. Rehab UK provides assessment, training and development programmes that enable people with disabilities to break into the workforce. Founded in 1994, the development of a network of innovative brain injury centres is now the main focus of its work.The organisation operates three centres – in Birmingham, London and Newcastle.
4. Brain Injury Awareness Week starts on Monday 12 March. Please visit www.rehabuk.org and contact either susannorman@rehabuk.org or jonathansmallman@rehabuk.org for more information on Acquired Brain Injury issues or fundraising for Rehab UK.
Media Contacts
For more information about the event, Rehab UK or photography / recording opportunities, please contact:
Anna Shackleton or Marc Sanderson (01564) 796200 Fax: (01564) 795490 Email: as@leader.co.uk / ms@leader.co.uk