IN PICTURES: Maldon Mud Race Committee donates £20,000 to local charities and organisations

Donations totalling £20,000 were presented to local schools, charities, and organisations by the Maldon Mud Race Committee at a ceremony in Colchester last Tuesday (September 26).

The annual Mud Race event was held in Promenade Park last April and welcomed the return of Jo Brand and her daughter Maisie.

On Tuesday, Maldon Mud Race Chair Brian Farrington said the cheque presentation was a good opportunity to put the event's fundraising efforts into action.

He told Nub News: "This means we can demonstrate, to our charities and sponsors, how and why we distribute the money - and who receives it."

Julie Taylor collected £1,000 on behalf of the Liam Taylor Legacy. Over the last nine months, five emergency bleed kits provided by the charity have saved six lives.

Julie also presented the Porsche Centre with an emergency bleed kit. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Grassroots action like the Liam Taylor Legacy is vital to help the community, Julie says.

"The more people who get involved, the better. A caring community is one that brings love, peace, and joy."

Freddie McIntosh, who is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, collected £2,000 on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Maldon Mud Race Director Colin McIntosh was joined by his daughter, Charmaine, and his grandson Freddie at the presentation ceremony.

Nine-year-old Freddie is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer. He collected £2,000 on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Mrs White collected £1,000 on behalf of All Saints Primary School. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

"We're in the early stages of Freddie's treatment, so we're learning things as we go," Colin told Nub News.

"He will go through some difficult times, but the support we've had from Great Ormond Street has been unbelievable."

£1,000 went to St Francis Catholic Primary School in West Chase, Maldon. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Freddie thanked the Mud Race Committee for their donation and says it will help him and others "kick cancer's arse".

The Maldon branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau received £1,000. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Citizens Advice Maldon & District received a £1,000 donation. The organisation serves 3,000 clients across the district every year, assisting them with around 11,000 issues. However, the Cost of Living Crisis has proven an even greater challenge over the last 18 months.

£2,000 was donated to the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Service. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

Philip Wakeling, Chair of Trustees, told Nub News: "We don't run on fresh air; we have to attract funding on a regular basis.

"The fact we've achieved something today from the Maldon Mud Race is both generous and very, very welcome."

The Cinnamon Trust, a charity which helps look after older people's pets, received £1,000. (Credit: Ben Shahrabi)

The next Maldon Mud Race will be held on Sunday 2 June 2024. Keep an eye on Maldon Nub News for full details ahead of next year's 50th anniversary event.