30/08/10: If surveyed about their sporting highlights, the majority of the population would probably respond along the lines of The Olympics, The World Cup or The World Athletic Championships, etc, but they are all sadly wrong as, without a doubt, the annual highlight of the sporting calendar has to be the RVT and GMFA Sports Day held every August Bank Holiday Monday.
Raising valuable funds for GMFA, Vauxhall City Farm and Vauxhall Spring Gardens, this year’s shenanigans took place last weekend and saw a dozen teams dress-up and make fools of themselves in races as traditionally diverse as sack race, tug of war, 50m mince and drag relay.
Outstanding sporting prowess (!) was shown in the space hopper equestrian category and impressive balancing skills in the egg and spoon race, but it was in the handbag toss where wrists of steel were really required. A magnificent total of over £10,000 (and still climbing) was raised through sponsorship of the teams and a charity auction that included signed goodies from pop princess Kylie and hot sports god Ben Cohen.
Prizes were awarded to Fatima & the Four Husbands as sporting event winners, The Dibb Dobb’s Experience as top fundraisers (over £1,400) and Prissy Queens of the Knoll for best costume. Hero of the Day medal has to go to the fabulous Timberlina who, after risking life and limb to arrive on the back of a motorbike, went on to host the entire afternoon along with commentator Nick Heath, but also to the many hoards of GMFA volunteers who made for a flawlessly smooth and brilliant afternoon’s entertainment.
Spring Gardens, Vauxhall
Words & photos by Chris Jepson
