Mud Machines are all heart

Photo: Laura Wild

Mud Machines raising money for the British Heart Foundation

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Twenty-one Rochdale businesses have taken part in this year’s Mud Machines interclub challenge in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Teams made up of local businesses and their staff took part in the assault course in a 4x4 vehicle.

The aim was to complete the course in the quickest time at Top o’th Croft Farm, Woodhouse Lane, Rochdale.

Following the almighty success of this event in November when the Mud Machines raised over £3000 for Springhill Hospice they decided to make this event bigger and better than before.

The challenge began at 10.00am today (Saturday 19 June 2010) and the event will run through the night, aside from the assault course there was fun for all the family, including face painting, and live music provided by a variety of bands from the Backdoor Music Project.

Chairman of Mud Machines, John Lawn, said: “This year we have more teams and more sponsors. There has been a massive interest and lots of people are up for it.

“It is a brilliant day and we have had much better weather than last time.”

The decision to raise money from the British Heart Foundation was Mr Lawn’s idea, he said: “We chose to raise money for the British Heart Foundation because it is a cause that is very close to my heart, I had a heart attack in February, so that is the reason for choosing them.”

The main spectacle today was the 'krypton-factor' style assault course; it included a zip line, kayak pond.

Teams had to complete the course on foot and in a Land Rover; their times would be then be combined to create a final time.

Each team was made up of four members; each team donated £100 towards the fundraising for the foundation.

The competing teams were:

• MJ May Transport
• Moore's Training Services
• Avalon Granite
• Wildbloods of Norden
• Crystal Clear Valeting
• Autopaint
• F & F Motors
• BMS
• Howden's Joinery
• Failsworth Training Services
• Parr
• WH Tracey
• GNG Foam
• REWCO
• Ingoe Oils
• Good Garage Scheme
• C&J Commercials
• H. Bell & Son
• Tree Hero’s Rochdale
• Spring Court Auto Centre
• Automotive Tools

Spectator Robert Balderstone travelled from Blackburn to watch the competition, he said: “This is the first time I have been and I think it is a great idea. I think it’s great that a farmer with all this land is putting it to use all in aid of charity.”

This year the Mud Machines also created two off-road 4x4 courses. One extreme course for 4x4 challenge truck demonstration and a slightly less severe course offering passenger rides around in exchange for a donation.

Participant Phil Wildblood was taking part for the second time, he said: “We had a great time last year so decided to take part again. At the moment we are coming last but it is all good fun. It has been a superb day.”

Mud Machines are a group of experienced, off-road 4x4 enthusiasts who engage in a variety of activities, including off-road driving, camping weekends and green lane runs.

The Mud Machines are hoping to raise around £5,000 for the British Heart Foundation