IT was a case of fun in the sun with a difference.
Nineteen teams did battle in a zany Its A Knockout contest in Huddersfield to raise thousands for Kirkwood Hospice.
And, fittingly, after all the slapstick humour there was a victory for a group raising cash in memory of a very special purpose.
MDC, from Meltham Dental Surgery, were one of the two winners along, with The Hoff Lifeguards of Colne Valley Leisure Centre.
And the Meltham team included teenager Rebecca Scully, the daughter of Michelle Scully, who lost her fight for life in the hospice in January. She was just 43.
After the mum-of-five was diagnosed with terminal cancer she lived every day to the full and achieved her dream of becoming a beauty therapist.
Despite having months to live and being in agonising pain, Michelle still managed to sit and pass her beauty therapy exams with flying colours. Now her family has taken on her indomitable spirit and are using her inspiration to raise money for Kirkwood Hospice after it gave her such wonderful care in her final days.
Kate Leadbeater, the Hospice’s senior fundraiser, said: “It summed up what the day was about.
“There were 190 people taking part, getting very wet and having great fun.
“But they all knew they were raising money for the Hospice and the work it does, and some had that extra special reason to do it”.
The event, the third Knockout tournament run by the Hospice, was held at the recently-reopened DRAM Centre in Dalton. The 19 teams of friends or workmates from factories, shops, pubs and clubs took part in games using large inflatables, two-man skis, wheeled toboggans and lots of water.
Their skills were tested by the likes of Cafe Capers, Rooftop Run, Spit your Dummy Out, Dino The Dentist and It’s A Knockasaurus.
Kate said: “The weather was brilliant and we must thank all the staff at the DRAM Centre who pulled out all the stops to make it such a great venue for the event”.
In addition to the games, there were children’s rides and a bouncy slide, a barbecue, ice-creams and various stalls.
