Thousands want to watch it – but not to lend a hand

Soapbox derby may have seen its last race unless volunteers step up Exclusive

A popular novelty race is speeding towards an uncertain future as organisers struggle to find volunteers to help run it.

The annual Aldington Soapbox Derby, which sees people race down a hill in home-made carts, was not held this year and now former committee secretary Sarah Prescott has warned 2013’s derby may have been the last.

She said: “There is some uncertainty about the future of the soapbox derby. With regret I stood down as secretary of the committee in January as did Jacqui Hodgson-Pope as treasurer.

“We had both been in the posts for the six years and have found it increasingly difficult to juggle work and family commitments with the increasing workload of organising the derby. As yet no one has taken up either roles on the committee.

Difficult

“In recent years it has become increasingly difficult to find volunteers to help with the organisation throughout the year and also staging the event on the day.

“The event has become very popular and it takes more and more volunteers to keep the crowds safe and the event running.

“We have a small, very hard working committee and group of volunteers, which helps at every derby, however as the event grows the pressure on these people has increased. Everybody loves to come to the soapbox derby but not enough want to help to make it happen, unfortunately.

“It is planned to hold a meeting in January to discuss the future. However without an infusion of new interest in the organisation it seems increasingly unlikely the event can go ahead next year.”

Taking place on the last bank holiday weekend in August, the Aldington Soapbox Derby is a half-mile race down Forge Hill and New Road Hill.

Soapbox racers have built carts to look like hospital beds, cameras, sofas, Spitfire planes and pub tables and drivers are judged on novelty, speed and originality.

Thousands of spectators have gathered to watch the races each year since the first one in 2007 and sponsorship money is donated to The Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford and Kaleidoscope Childcare, Aldington.

For details as they become available search for Aldington Soapbox Derby on Facebook, go to www.aldingtonsoapbox.co.uk or follow @kentsoapbox on Twitter.

Picture: Fiona Stapley-Harding FM2767537 Former committee secretary Sarah Prescott says ‘everybody loves to come to the soapbox derby but not enough to want to help make it happen’