On Saturday 19 August, 16 homemade vehicles of all shapes and sizes took part in the inaugural Royal Berks Charity Soapbox Challenge on the Englefield Estate.

Nearly 2,000 people cheered on the amateur drivers as they hurtled round the course in their non-motorised machines fuelled by nothing but courage, adrenaline and the force of gravity.

Entrants competed in two categories seniors 18+ and juniors 12-17 and included teams from Reading Metal Recycling, Porsche, Xpert Energy, Mattel and 360Medical. The event raised over £8000 – a fantastic achievement. 

Senior winners were Team 360 and Team Wallbank took the top spot in the junior category.

Charity Director, Ian Thomson said: “We are delighted on how well the Soapbox Challenge went, especially as we haven’t run one before, and plans are already underway for a bigger and better event for 2018. We are very grateful to the Benyon family and all who help to manage the Englefield Estate for supporting the event and of course to all the entrants, volunteers and supporters who helped make the day such a great success.”