Treasure pleasure Hundreds ready to join the hunt for hidden diamonds
HUNDREDS of treasure-hunters are expected to descend on Cheltenham this weekend to seek out one of 10 hidden gems as the Beards Diamond Rush returns.
The popular trail, which is now in its fifth year, is organised by Beards Jewellers – located in the Promenade – in association with Maggie’s Cancer Care and the Motor Neurone Disease Association to raise money for both charities.
Treasure-seekers will be faced with the challenge of having to hunt out nine diamonds, worth £1,000, which will be hidden in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas.
The event will also feature a new twist. A 10th diamond – which will be the 50th diamond the company has provided over the past five years – will be digitally hidden.
This means that those who live further afield or who are unable to attend the event in person can still join in with the fun.
Details on how to take part in the digital diamond hunt will be released nearer the start of the event.
The diamonds are donated by Beards Jewellers – which is Cheltenham’s oldest and largest jewellers – and all the gems have been exclusively sourced for the Diamond Rush.
Managing director, Alex Rose, said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring back the Beards Diamond Rush for a fifth year and to raise money for two incredible charities.
“It’s always great to watch treasure
seekers frantically dart across Cheltenham in a bid to find one of the diamonds, but it’s an even greater feeling when we manage to smash our charity fundraising target.”
Last year, the Cheltenham-based event got the celebrity treatment.
The Saturdays’ Una Healey and rapper Professor Green both attended the Diamond Rush in 2018.
Neither of the stars have revealed whether they will be attending the event this year.
Mr Rose said: “Our chosen charity has always been Maggie’s but this year we are also raising money for the MND Association.
“A local businessman, Mark Morris, who owns The Flower Man, which has a stand outside our Cheltenham store, has sadly been diagnosed with MND and we want to raise money for his charity of choice, the MND Association, which provides support for those affected by MND.
“Because of this, we want to make this event even bigger than ever before so we can raise as much as possible for these two amazing charities.”
To take part, all you need to do is buy a treasure map – which you can obtain from the store.
Each map costs £10 and will direct you to a general area where you will be able to start searching on Sunday (July 14) at 10.30am.
Clue Makers dressed in charity branded tee-shirts will be stationed at strategic points across Cheltenham and around Gloucesershire on the day, offering additional clues to hunters for a £5 donation.