01/10/2023
The Fancy Dress 3-Legged Race Returns to Faringdon!
What began as a humble fundraising idea for a gig has now blossomed into the highly-anticipated revival of the beloved Fancy Dress 3-Legged Race in Faringdon. While the exact origins of this whimsical event remain shrouded in mystery, one thing is certain – since 1998, Alyson Kelly, former landlady of The Wheatsheaf, orchestrated this annual spectacle, raising funds for the Baby Unit, First Responders, and the Firefighters Charity.The race became a cherished tradition, filled with laughter and creativity, as teams donned wild and wacky fancy dress outfits. It continued to thrive for years until 2017 when pub closures and the pandemic put a halt on the world.
Now, with gratitude to The Old Crown Coaching Inn in Faringdon, the Fancy Dress 3-Legged Race is making its triumphant return on 3rd November 2023. Participants are invited to gather in The Crown Courtyard at 7:30 PM to register and collect their race cards. At 8 PM, they set off, three-legged and in no particular order, on a spirited journey among six local pubs and bars. Along the way, they'll enjoy drinks and collect stamps on their race cards before racing back to The Crown, crossing the finish line through the iconic archway. Once back at The Crown, the revelry continues with an unforgettable 'Party for The Place'! This year, teams have even more to race for, as fantastic prizes generously donated by local establishments are up for grabs. The champions will savor a delightful 3-course meal for two at The Crown, while second place earns pintxos & cocktails for two at Las Caverna, and third place receives a £30 cocktail voucher for The Narrows. And for the next three teams to cross the finish line, each couple will be rewarded with bottles of champagne or wine. Race entry fees are a mere £5 per person, which includes admission to the 'Party for The Place' held in The Crown Ballroom. There, you can dance the night away to the tunes of DJ's from Los Amigos and live band Vinyl Daze, who play a variety of covers new and old, ranging from Dolly Parton to Oasis, Elton John to Kings of Leon. If you're not participating in the race, entrance to the party is just £3 per person. All proceeds will be donated to Faringdon's Family and Children's project, 'The Place.' The Place is a community led charity which welcomes families with children under 5. It is a non judgemental, friendly project running professionally led groups and offers a place for ALL families to feel accepted and welcomed.
'It is events like these when so many people from the local community come together to make such a great community and fun atmosphere in the town that make Faringdon such a special place.' Geoff Robins, Landlord of The Wheatsheaf explains.
This fantastic event is organized by £unding Dory Events, a group passionate about reviving Faringdon's unique community traditions and raising money for local Faringdon charities.
What's the story behind £unding Dory?
Two friends with baby brains, who call each other Dory as a ‘running’ joke, decided to channel their creative energy into a positive project together to throw a fundraising event for local charity The Place!
‘Not only are we fundraising for a local charity, but we are fuelling and engaging our brains for our own mental health and wellness’. And so £unding Dory Events was born! 'Moving forward we hope to organise more quirky events in Faringdon, to raise money for charities in the town we both love.'
Lucy Redwood-Hanson & Sarah Hayden
