Karting for a Cause: Racing Raises Smiles for Wooden Spoon Charity

More than 40 drivers took to the track this week at Absolutely Karting, all in the name of raising funds—and smiles—for the Wooden Spoon rugby charity.

Nine teams competed in a thrilling 90-minute Le Mans-style endurance race, with plenty of action-packed pit stops as teams of up to five drivers swapped places throughout the event.

The winning team boasted young racing talent, including newly crowned Junior Saloon Car Championship winner Harry Smith and his younger brother Ollie, who will be competing in the same series this season. Also on the grid were several enthusiastic young players from Maidenhead Rugby Club.

Adding to the excitement, two teams from Wooden Spoon’s head office also took part in the race, enjoying the competition and camaraderie while supporting the cause. Sarah Coleman, who raced on the night, shared her enthusiasm: “It was fantastic to be able to attend a regional event and meet some lovely people. We managed to scrape nto 3rd place and I can’t wait for more events like this.” The participation of Wooden Spoon staff highlighted the charity’s hands-on approach and commitment to engaging with local communities.

Organised by the Wooden Spoon Chilterns region, the event raised money to support children and young people with disabilities or those facing disadvantage. Chilterns committee member Gareth Ebenezer, who also took to the track, highlighted the impact of the fundraiser: “The great thing about Wooden Spoon is seeing how the money we raise translates into helping children and young people with disabilities or those facing disadvantage in our region. Every penny we make goes directly into local projects, from the Stand Out for Autism sensory bus to Foodshare Maidenhead’s Holiday Hunger projects and the two-seater karts run by our friends at Absolutely Together. We raise money and smiles for local people.”

Wooden Spoon funded the purchase of twin-seat karts, designed to give disabled children and young people the thrill of high-speed racing, at Absolutely Karting through a £12,000 grant. Absolutely Karting’s Maidenhead track has been offering free sessions to visually impaired children and adults, utilizing the specially adapted twin-seat karts. Absolutely Together, part of the Absolutely group, runs adrenaline-fuelled leisure activities, including karting and Laser Tag in Maidenhead, to provide exciting experiences for disadvantaged children.

Looking ahead, Wooden Spoon Chiltern’s has just announced an exciting Lions Legends Lunch at Bisham Abbey on 6 June. Featuring Sunday Times rugby writer Stephen Jones in conversation with Dwayne Peel and Michael Lynagh, the event promises to raise more funds—and smiles—before the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia this summer.
For more on Wooden Spoon’s work and upcoming events, visit https://woodenspoon.org.uk/events/