ENTRIES have started to race in for Bradford BID’s Super Soapbox Challenge as organisers have announced more sponsors and the event’s official charity beneficiaries.
Bradford Business Improvement District (BID) is bringing the Super Soapbox Challenge – which is expected to draw crowds of around 20,000 people – to the city’s streets on May 1.
The BID – the limited not-for-profit company funded by more than 600 levy-paying businesses and organisations to help promote and develop the city centre – has revealed that more than a dozen teams have already signed up or pledged to enter carts in the event.
“We’re off to a great start!” said BID manager Jonny Noble. “There’s no doubt this is one of the most exciting events planned for the city centre in many years and people are really getting behind it.
“It’s great to see so many teams entering already and we hope a lot more will come forward in the next couple of weeks to enter the races through the Super Soapbox Challenge website, supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk/bradford
“The number of sponsors who are supporting the Super Soapbox Challenge is also very encouraging. Delivering an event of this type needs partnership working and we still need a number of sponsors to come forward to ensure it goes ahead.
“These soapbox events take place across many cities in the UK as well as Europe and they are increasingly popular. They’re also very good for shops and businesses, bringing in lots of families for a fun-packed day-out and leaving a lasting feelgood impression on visitors from further afield.
“Experience elsewhere suggests it will be great for the city centre.”
Andrew Pearson, events marketing director at the organisers, The Super Soapbox Challenge Company, said: “We’re really grateful to the fantastic sponsors – both national and local – who have signed up to help us get this event on track.
“They include telecoms company Vodafone, who are sponsoring the stage and the finish line, and Bradford-based hygiene chemical and engineering specialist Christeyns UK, who will be sponsoring the race start.
“We also have great support from The Broadway shopping centre – and the Kirkgate Centre and Napoleons Casino and Restaurant will be sponsoring winners’ cups.
“There are still lots of sponsorship opportunities and any business or organisation interested in supporting the event can contact me on 07885 944478 or by e-mail to: andrew@supersoapboxchallenge.co.uk.”
It has also been announced that the event will have two main charity beneficiaries, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Bradford Lions.
The YAA will be bringing its helicopter simulator trailer to the event. The hi-tech vehicle was specially designed and built to allow their fundraising teams to bring a state-of-the-art educational experience out on the road and into communities throughout Yorkshire.
The unit is one of two equipped with interactive technology. The vehicles each feature a replica cockpit, with screens showing aerial footage of the views the crews experience whilst flying in the air ambulance helicopters. They also have screens for presentations and run videos that feature interviews with the YAA crew.
The units also feature interactive iPads for an “immersive user experience” and a seating area where supporters can chat with YAA staff and volunteers.
The Bradford Lions are raising money to help save lives in the local community by buying and providing defibrillators that give a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.
Vodaphone are expected to have their promotional ‘Gigavan’ on-site with an adjacent ‘chill-out’ area and Vodaphone’s brand ambassadors will be circulating handing out freebies to the crowds.
