Derby businesses went head-to-head in an annual Shrove Tuesday pancake race to raise money to support the health and wellbeing of residents at YMCA Derbyshire.
The city’s leading public relations agency Penguin PR lifted the trophy for the second year running beating teams from sportswear giant HUUB, digital marketeers Alphageek and WDS Printers.
The annual event was organised by staff at carbon composite company Pentaxia, in Alfreton Road, and every firm taking part made a donation to YMCA Derbyshire’s campus.
Penguin PR director Sarah Newton said: “We are big supporters of the YMCA and the outstanding work it carries out in the city.
“We usually take part in its annual Sleep Easy and have also cooked the community meal which is run alongside Head High. But of the three events, the pancake race is definitely the easiest way to raise money for them.
“I think the secret to our success is probably that we’re all parents and used to flipping countless pancakes – we certainly weren’t the fastest runners on the day. But the event is really good fun and we’re already looking forward to making it three wins in a row next year.”
It is the fifth time the annual race has taken place and other businesses taking part included Natwest, two teams from Pentaxia and a team from YMCA Derbyshire.
The 25m relay was held over three heats, with each team member required to flip the pancake at the start, the middle and the end.
The winners received a carbon trophy and mini cups, while every competitor received a pot of honey made by Pentaxia’s own bees, who live in five hives at the Alfreton Road site.
Ellie Jackson, from YMCA Derbyshire, said: “We are really grateful to all the businesses who supported the event on Shrove Tuesday – it’s great fun but also raises money for our health and wellbeing programme which funds youth workers, 1-2-1 therapeutic counselling and diversionary activities to improve our residents’ mental health.
“Huge thanks to Pentaxia for staging the event and providing breakfast for all the competitors. It was a chilly morning and the cooked breakfast was gratefully received.”
