It’s a Knockout!

Hands up who remembers the It’s A Knockout gameshow?

The popular television programme ran for an amazing 23 series over four decades, where amateur athletics teams competed against each other in Olympic-style activities, usually with a fun twist.

It may have last aired in 2001, but live versions of the event have sprung up all around the UK, and the contest is a firm fixture in Cleethorpes’ summer calendar, raising vital funds for local charities. And our team from St Hugh’s raised a massive £900 towards the pot!

This year’s event, held at Meridian Park on the seafront and organsied by the Humberston Lions, raised cash mainly for the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, but also for several other worthy local organisations. And for those of us who do remember the TV show, the day was even more authentic – the company providing the games owns the original props used in the programme.

So, without further ado, let’s hear a drum roll please for our fabulous St Hugh’s team, consisting of: Medical Records Clerks Kerry Telford, Catherine Caines, Caroline Dayton and Laura Sutton; Healthcare Assistant Gemma Foster; Nurse Associate Nikki Bennett; and Pre-Op Admin Clerk Leonie Wharton. They were joined by two friends and a relative to make up a team of 10, who were ably cheered on by Receptionist Tonya Middleton and Bookings Clerk Jane Miller.

Kerry said: “A few of us have done this event before and think it’s such good fun – and even better if you are competitive, like most of us were!

“I’d say most of the team were fit and regularly active, so that made it slightly easier as there were many fast-paced races, as well as water activities, which has to be our favourite…jumping in and out of an inflatable washing machine full of water and foam, trying to match up coloured socks! We are already planning our tactics for next year!

“I personally wanted to get involved in the event because it raised money for the air ambulance. My husband had a bad road accident and if it wasn’t for the air ambulance taking him rapidly to Queens Medical Hospital in Nottingham, he wouldn’t be here today.

“There were 28 teams, so a lot of money will have been raised. We came 14th out of 28teams, but like I say, we have tactics for next year!”