RACING FOR CHARITY

MORE than 600 enthusiastic cyclists, skaters and other wheelie-bound folk took to the racing track at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir on Friday.

The Fifth Annual Charity Wheelathon organised by St Christopher's Cathedral involved participants using everything from skateboards to wheelchairs to travel the Xkm distance around the track - raising BDXXX for charities across the island as they went.

The fun day event attracted families, cyclists and groups from across the island to participate and watch the highlight of the day, the Fancy Dress Hospital Bed Race which attracted 12 teams of six pushing beds along a 500m course.

American Mission Hospital, which provided the beds, raced to the winning spot, St Christopher's Infant School teachers were the runners-up and third place was grabbed by the American Mission Hospital A Team.

David Axtell, one of the organisers, said: "We had an excellent turn out and the weather was superb.

"The atmosphere was wonderful and it was great to see so many families.

"It was also great to see that a few disabled children came down and took part in the event which was what this was all about.

"It was so nice to see them interact with all the other participants and have fun."

The Wheelathon included participants on any set of wheels such as bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, wheelchairs, strollers or roller skis.

Children of various age groups scurried about in their safety helmets and set of wheels with their parents in tow, some of who also participated in the races.

The Rose family were taking part in the Wheelathon for the second time.

Dot Loveland Rose said: "We are a family of four with ages between 10 and 85. We took part in the race the year before last and had some friends come over from Ireland who also took part.

"It's a great thing for charity and a great excuse to get out and roll."

The race attracted a few first timers including the Cowley family who moved to Bahrain less than a year ago.

Richard Cowley, 37, a project director from Budaiya said: "It's good fun for the children and also a great way to raise money for charity."

Teenagers Dana Alajaji, 15, Nadia Al Maskarti, 16 and Hana Abbas, 17 were thrilled to be on the tracks.

Dana, a student at the British School said: "I have been coming here every year. This year, Nadia asked us all to take part together, I was going to do it anyway and we decided to join in."

The Boyd family participated in the Wheelathon on their skates.

Gabrielle, 35, a housewife from Janabiya said: "Our son wanted to take part and so we joined him.

"We think this was a great opportunity for others who have come on their bikes as you cannot bike anywhere else so safely in the island."

Entertainment for the event included a performance by DJ Krazy Kevin, face painting, balloon twisting, a clown, a bouncy castle and a mist spray splashing water on everyone to beat the heat.

Prizes were given to (XX) who managed to raise BDXX, the most money for the event.

Charities which will benefit include the RIA Centre and Think Pink.

The event sponsors were Chevron, Royal Golf Club, BIC, American Mission Hospital, Kanoo Travel, Warwick Mann International, GDN, Porsche, Carousel, InterGlobal, Dell, Coca-Cola and Towers and Hamlins.