Time for some flippin’ good fun in Waterlooville

Residents, businesses and shoppers are all invited to take part in this year’s annual Waterlooville Pancake Race.

Being organised by The Co-operative Funeralcare – Waterlooville, the event will see participants race up and down the precinct flipping pancakes in frying pans.

The race to cross the line first is done in heats with the overall winner taking home £200 for a charity of their choice.

The event is taking place on 25 February in Waterlooville precinct, PO7 7DT, from 11am.

Ali Davison, Funeral Co-ordinator at The Co-operative Funeralcare – Waterlooville, said: “We are partnering up again with The Waterlooville Events Team to put on the event which we hope will be ‘batter’ than ever.

“Everyone always has a great time and we get to promote our lovely town centre at the same time.

“The race is done in teams and past events have seen racers dressed up in some very imaginative fancy dress – although this isn’t mandatory. We can’t wait to see what this year brings.”

Last year’s winners, Phone Repair Doctors, didn’t crack under the pressure and fought off other teams from Motiv8, MMO Accountants, Tillison Consulting and Pink Party Shop.

Phone Repair Doctors donated their winnings to The Rowan’s Hospice, in Waterlooville, which provides free care and support to adults who have a life-limiting illness and their families.

The event was previously held by Havant Borough Council until four years ago. After a year’s break, it was resurrected by Ali Davison and her colleagues at The Co-operative Funeralcare – Waterlooville who were the reigning champions.

The funeralcare team still competes but Ali promises that it is judged fairly and there is no cheating involved.

To book a place or to find our more, contact 02392 266105 or email waterloovillefuneral@southerncoops.co.uk.

Funeral home horses around for charity

Football teams in Whitchurch are one step closer to the light as a charity race night raised £1,145 for the cause.

Hosted by Southern Co-op’s funeral home in Whitchurch, more than 80 people turned up to the race night on 28 July.

The fundraiser was held in aid of Longmeadow Sports and Social Club to raise money for new training lights for the local football teams.

Jessie Chamberlain and Denise Meaden, Southern Co-op Funeral Co-ordinators in Whitchurch, said: “There was excellent support on the night with everyone enjoying the excitement of the races.

“We were really impressed with the turnout and it meant that the event had an excellent atmosphere. The races may not have been live but a lot of us felt like we were there at the side of the track.

“By the end we were on an amazing high. Raising so much money for our local club means a lot to us. We are proud to be part of our local community.”

On the night, punters paid to become the sponsor of a horse for each race before a real life race was played out on the big screen.

There was also a chance to get porky as the big finale was none other than a pig race.

Although the pigs were not running live, the bidding to become the owner of each pig was feverish with £150 being paid in total.

With each race, the owner or sponsor of the winning animal received the race’s prize.

There was also a raffle which raised extra funds for the special cause.

Click here to find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to the local community.