..... BUT IT DIDN’T PUT A DAMPNER ON THE 1ST EVER SACC CORPORATE CHAIRTY SHEILD SPORTS EVENT IN SUPPORT OF THE ESSEX POLICE RETIRED DOGS FUND.
Following the success of the SACC annual Check-in @ Stansted Business Expo back in June, we decided to continue the fundraising activity for ourl charity of choice – the Essex Police Retired Dogs Fund, by holding the FIRST ever SACC Charity Shield Sports Day back in August 2019 at Thremhall Park, Bishop’s Stortford for the corporate market.
Pouring down with rain, 4 out of the 5 registered teams managed to take part in various activities including the egg and spoon, sack, 3 legged, water, dressing up and doughnut eating races, with winning the annual SACC Charity Shield in mind.
Aimed at the corporate market as part of a team building / business networking afternoon, amongst those taking part in the sports day included MGM Clinics (MGM Allstars team), London Stansted Airport (Scrambled Legs), Nockolds Solicitors (Team Nockolds) and Stansted Airports Fire & Rescue Service (Big Buns and Small Guns).
Refereed by PC Mark Webster and PC Hayley Peeks from the Essex Police Dog Section, with Police Dog Holly making a special appearance, each team competed in the challenges, trying to rack up the fastest time on the board.
The final result came down to a tie breaker between local Solicitors - Team Nockolds and Big Buns and Small Guns -Stansted Airport’s Fire & Rescue Service, with the overall winner announced as Big Buns and Small Guns who just piped Nockolds to the post by running around a pole 10 times, feeling very dizzy and then kicking a ball in the fastest time!
SACC's Julie Budden said: "Everyone who attended and took part in the event on the day were such great sports! It really was a scream watching businesses compete to be crowned the overall winner on the day. In addition to the teams taking part, we welcomed over 35 attendees who all got to enjoy an afternoon of networking with FUN in mind. A BBQ was served for all to enjoy, as well as pimms, beer and tea and coffee (which was thoroughly enjoyed by lots of wet people). I’d like to say a special thank you to our members LPL Construction, Live Financial and Mantle Business Centres for sponsoring this fantastic event, as well as everyone who helped on the day, attended and donated to this fantastic charity - where in total we managed to raise £560 on the day.
Here is what some of those taking part had to say:
Georgiana Bellenger from EmployAssist and part of the Nockolds team:
“Just wanted to thank you for a great afternoon. Despite the weather (and our initial trepidation for sports day!), team Nockolds really enjoyed ourselves (we SO nearly won!). I particularly enjoyed the police dog display at the end”.
Alex Smith from London Stansted Airport Aerozone:
“Thank you for organising yesterday’s event, we all had great fun, even with the rain! There’s a few of us with sore legs in the office today!”
Visitors on the day were also privy to a dog demo by working Essex Police Dog – Vin and others, handled by PC Nick Hayter. The demo including finding, locating and chasing the villain.
Kyle Newman from move Beyond a visitor on the day commented: “Thanks for all your hard work yesterday Julie! A good time was had by all despite the weather”.
Next years’ SACC charity shield day has already been set to Thursday 2nd July 2020. The venue will be announced shortly. We are now registering teams for next year, so if you and your business think that you can beat Big Buns and Small Guns – then sign up today! The cost of putting a team in is £80 plus VAT with proceeds going towards the charity. Please contact Julie on 01279 870 064 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Further information on the Essex Police Retired Dogs Fund can be found online at http://www.essexretiredpolicedogs.uk/
If you’d like to sponsor the event, please get in touch with Julie direct also on 01279 870 064 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.