12:10pm Friday 6th November 2009
GB international athletes will be heading for Coniston on Saturday to take part in a unique event to mark the sending off of ‘Beech Boys’ Atlantic duo Norman and James Beech on their epic adventure to row the Atlantic.
The athletes are taking part in “The Unfair Games” as part of the Beech Boys Bonanza event between 1pm and 4pm at John Ruskin School They will be running 3,000 metres as a relay to signify the 3,000 miles of the Atlantic crossing to highlight the unfairness of a world where 4,000 children die each day due to lack of sanitation and clean water.
For just 50p people will be able to guess the time the GB team record and the nearest will win a £50 Asda voucher.
The event is being organised by Coniston Crusaders, where the Beech Boys are leaders.
Norman has been a leader since coming to the village in 1995 and James grew up attending the youth group and latterly helping with Lazerz, the 7-11 year old group.
All money raised will go to the Beech Boys fund which is aiming to send £40,000 to Water Aid once the Atlantic crossing is completed.
Other events during the afternoon will include a Beech Boys Cafe, A Trash and Treasure Stall, and a Row Relay.
Some of the GB athletes taking part are Gemma Miles.
Gemma was brought up in Coniston and attended both primary and secondary School in the village.
She was also a staunch member of Crusaders was also a helper with the group before leaving for University in 1999.
She has been Cumbria cross country champion on numerous occasions as well as representing Great Britain at World and European level.
Last year she won a team silver medal at the European Cross Country Championships.
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