Firefighters inspired by young girl with brain tumour take on Red Bull Soapbox Race

Kyle Rotheram, 33, and four colleagues from Whitehaven White Watch in Cumbria travelled to London to take part in the wacky and fun-filled race in a specially constructed vehicle after being inspired to take part by Kyle’s daughter Tilly Mae, a huge fan of the race which will take place in London on Sunday.

The team is raising funds for the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle where the 11-year-old is undergoing treatment, in recognition of the amazing care it gives to children from across the north of England.

The community rallied round for the cause and donated time and money to ensure the team could construct a soapbox, the Prattle Bus, to compete in the race.

Engineers at local firm Forth shared their knowledge and expertise to help the team construct the soapbox, with Travis Perkins providing all materials. Shepley Engineers provided a mini bus to assist with travel, and HCS Water Treatment, in conjunction with Glenrental Vehicle Hire, provided a van and covered all fuel costs to transport the soapbox.

It is a fundraising effort which has really touched the community and local gym Eat Train Live has organised numerous events to help boost the total.

Kyle said: “It was an absolutely brilliant weekend and we all really enjoyed it, and Tilly Mae and her sisters absolutely loved it. Racing provided the biggest buzz I’ve ever had, and it was a great experience from start to finish.

“We were really pleased to finish the race and had to end with a spectacular crash at the finishing line as Tilly Mae really wanted us to crash as she said that would be ‘hilarious’.

“We just want to say a huge thank you to every single business and person who has donated money, time or materials to make sure this was all possible, and help us raise so much money for such an amazing cause.

“The support from the community has been amazing, particularly at a time when a lot are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“We would never have got this project off the ground if it wasn’t for the team at Forth and then to get the support from so many other businesses means we could go to the Red Bull Soapbox Race and have a really great time and try to raise even more money for an amazing hospital.

“When you have a child being treated there you see that all the staff are absolutely amazing. They make sure they do all they can for the children so that it doesn’t feel like a hospital environment. They make sure it’s not a scary place.”

The team of firefighters were all dressed as characters from Fortnite, Tilly Mae’s favourite video game, and they even treated the crowd to a Fortnite-inspired dance routine before jumping in their soapbox.

Rachael Elsley accompanied Kyle in the vehicle - and was thrown head first into a soft landing of hay bales after the spectacular crash at the end.

She said: “The whole project has been an amazing experience, not just for us in the White Watch but for the wider team to raise so much money because that is the whole reason why we are doing this.

“We were nervous ahead of the race but when we heard the cheers for us we were raring to go, and we just can’t thank everybody enough in the community for all the fantastic support they’ve given us.”

Staff members at Forth volunteered time and expertise over the months, and were delighted to have played a part in the fundraising efforts.

Ben Telford, the engineering manager at Forth, said: “It’s always good to give something back to the community and, for a cause like this, we didn’t think twice about sharing our knowledge and experience with the team. We are so glad they enjoyed the weekend so much, and that the vehicle withheld a few nasty bumps along the route.”

More than £8,500 has already been raised in Tilly Mae’s name, with the fundraising page to remain open.

To donate to Tilly Mae’s appeal please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/2022rb-comewhatmae or search for 2022rb-comewhatmae on Instagram.