Twenty-five charities in Brent got a much-needed financial boost this weekend thanks to the fundraising powers of a giant Kensal Rise Triathlon team.
The team of 237 neighbours – including forty children from five local schools – made up Blenheim Palace Triathlon’s largest team, taking on 7,000 people from around the country in different swim, cycle and run challenges.
Nearly all were triathlon first-timers who hadn’t met before training for the event when they signed up four months ago.
Giles Deards, organiser of the Kensal Tri Team, said: “This has been a really difficult year for everyone and we decided we wanted to beat the Covid blues, get people together, get fitter and raise as we could to support local charities.
"The response was overwhelming."
Giles added that local gyms, fitness instructors, business and clubs got involved in the event and hundreds of people sponsored the team.
"Now we all feel exhausted but thrilled to have together raised more than £130,000," the organiser said.
Salusbury Primary School Head, Michelle Ginty did not expect to be taking part in a Triathlon this year but said that the school's fantastic team of 25 parents and staff "more than persuaded me".
She added: "I’m very proud of our Salusbury Team for being a key part of such a huge community effort, while also raising more than £15,000 towards our new school playground."
Mary Mitchell and teammates, fundraising for Harlesden-based Refugee Education UK, raised nearly £16,000 for the charity.
She said: “A group of us heard about the Kensal Tri team back in May, signed-up straight away and we had a great time at the weekend."
Councillor Ellie Southwood, who captained one of the Kensal Team’s 29 Relay Teams, said: “This was a brilliant experience – running through Palace grounds with a massive local group raising a huge amount of money for great causes.
"I’m also proud to be a blind runner who can also now say I’ve captained a Triathlon team and would like to thank Neil, Chloe and my companion runner Sophie."
For some runners, like Rachel Boothroyd, the event was a personal challenge. The Brent local who represented Brent Centre for Young People said she has recently suffered with heart disease challenges and was nervous about taking part.
Rachel added: "But I wanted the personal challenge, to inspire my son and the opportunity to help teenage mental health in our area. This was the perfect opportunity with such a supportive group”.
Sally Long, Chair of Friends of Cricklewood Library and part of the Blenheim team said: “Small local charities are struggling to survive with little access to grants and funding.
"We’ve fought a ten year campaign to get our library open again and we need the support of our community more than ever to keep going. We’re thrilled that our Triathlon team has raised over £5,000 and this brings us nearer to being able to open a café at the Library right next to Gladstone Park”.
The Brent & Kilburn Times were also delighted to support the work of Elders Voice with a Relay team, raising £590.
Chief reporter William Mata said: "I greatly enjoyed the experience and loved cycling through the beautiful grounds of the palace. I am proud of my teammates and to be raising money for a great cause."
Giles Deards added: “I’d like to thank all our partners and sponsors including Akoya, Bags of Love, Swimming Nature & the Maqam, Moberly Sports Centre, Storm LDN, Cuore Italian Deli, Sanzio, Daniels, Winkworth, Rigby & Marchant, and Jamie Baird, Mariangela Cireddu, Lizzie Barker, Maciej Gross and Daniel Bingham for all their personal training.
The supported charities were Ark Franklin Primary School, Ark Brunel, Avenues Youth Project, Brent Centre for Young People, Brent Foodbank, Cricklewood Library, Elders Voice, 'Gift Your Neighbour' Food Project, Granville Community Kitchen, Kensal Rise Library, Kilburn Park School, Laurences Larder, Lexi Cinema Community Hub, Malorees Infant & Junior School, North Paddington Foodbank, Refugee Education UK (REUK); Queens Park Primary School; Salusbury School, Salusbury World, Solidarity Fund - Mutual Aid, Sufra NW London, Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, Willesden Mutual Aid Foodbank, 9Kitchens Food Project.
Next year the Kensal Rise team wants to bring over 300 adults and children to enjoy the event and to train together.
Contact kensalqueenspark@gmail.com if you would like to join the team.
To donate to any of the Kensal Rise team's charities visit www.kensalqueenspark.com/sponsor-a-blenheim-team
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