They trotted and played their way to glory in the London Marathon.
Now the world’s fastest Marching Marathon Band, from Huddersfield, has scooped up a prestigious national award.
The 33-piece Huddersfield Marathon Band has been named Creative Fundraisers of the Year in the Just Giving Awards.
Earlier this year the band completed the 2014 London Marathon in 6hrs 56mins and 44secs to regain the world record they had held previously.
And in the course of running the race, they raised a staggering £68,000 for Sense, a charity for people who are deaf and blind.
Their efforts have since been acknowledged by Justgiving which shortlisted them for in their respective category, before a public vote saw them hailed the winners.
Anne-Marie Huby, managing director and co-founder of JustGiving said: “The Huddersfield Marathon Band displayed an outstanding level of commitment to a cause which is clearly close to their hearts.
“This was clearly a challenge which required a lot of motivation and we hope their campaign will go on to inspire many more to fundraise and achieve great things for their chosen charities.”
Band founder and director Mike Lomas said: “I had hoped we would win but we were against some other fundraisers who fundraise in very different ways.”
Mike added: “We’ve loved every minute of being nominated for the JustGiving Awards and we’re so, so proud of everyone that voted for us and sponsored us and it’s been amazing to raise so much money for Sense.
“We’re very proud to get an Award from JustGiving – thank you so much.”
Now in their fifth year, the JustGiving Awards recognise the outstanding individuals, teams and charities who together helped raise nearly £300 million through their JustGiving pages for good causes over the last year. The awards were awarded across eight categories.
For more details on the Huddersfield Marathon Band and the other winners at the 2014 JustGiving Awards, log on to www.justgivingawards.com .
