A QUIRKY tradition which helps launch Ponteland into the new year will help to raise money for a local hospice.

The New Year’s Day Wheelbarrow Race has been an annual event in the town for over 700 years, and this year both Tynedale Hospice at Home and St Oswald’s Hospice will benefit from the funds raised.

And staff from Tynedale Hospice at Home are encouraging as many locals as possible to come along and begin the new year in style.

They will be cheered on by special guest, ex-Newcastle United defender Steve Taylor, who will be on hand to start off the races and give out prizes at the event.

Organised by volunteers from the Ponteland 41 Club, the race follows a course of just under a mile and raises valuable funds for different charities every year.

Laura Elliott, fund-raising manager for Tynedale Hospice at Home, said: “We are delighted to be one of the nominated charities for this event and all the funds raised will make a valuable contribution to supporting our local services, which include nursing care in the home, our family support services and hospital transport service.

“It costs over £700,000 a year to run our services, of which 90 per cent must be raised through voluntary giving and charitable donations.

“Events like this are a vital part of our fund-raising calendar and any money raised will make a real difference to the people who use our services.”

People are encouraged to come along in fancy dress, although it is not necessary, and a fancy dress procession will begin at the Tynedale Hospice at Home shop on Merton Road, Ponteland, at midday.

The children’s race starts outside the shop at 12.15pm, while the womens’ race will start at 12.30pm and the nens’ race at 12.45pm, both from outside the Blackbird Inn, next to St Mary’s Church.

Coffee, tea and other snacks and refreshments will be available at the Blackbird Inn from 11am.

If you would like to take part, contact Laura Elliott by emailing fundraising@tynedalehospice.com or pop into the Tynedale Hospice at Home shop on Merton Road, Ponteland.