Water bombing reaches ten year milestone

13th February 2014

The World Water Bombing Championships, celebrates ten years when it returns to Ponds Forge on Wednesday 7 May 2014 at 6.

30pm...and Macmillan Cancer Support is looking for teams of four to take on the challenge. For ten years now, water bombers from across the region have launched themselves from the 3m diving platform in a fancy dress costume of their choice. They are then graded based on their 'style', splash and presentation by a judging panel which includes two Macmillan nurses and an 'unusual' mystery guest. The fancy dress costumes are a major part of the event, and over the last ten years there have been some interesting ideas: including a team of Umpa Lumpus, YMCA, The Wizard of Oz, the Cast of Grease and even a team who chose to called themselves the Flying Mankini's! World Water Bombing is sponsored by Matthew Twigg Foods suppliers of Pukka Pies, eBECS Experts in Microsoft Dynamics and Sheffield International Venues. All money raised at the event is spent to on funding Macmillan services in Sheffield. George Perkins, age 30 from Sheffield has taken part in the event since 2006 and along with friend Mark Phelan, they have raised a combined total of £9053 for Macmillan. George said, -The most fun part of the event for me is the fancy dress.  Every year the standard gets better and better. In the past I have dressed up as bomber pilot, Spartacus and a member of LMFAO. I think you have to be ever so slightly mad to do this event, but it's great fun. George explains why he got involved, -I first signed up after finding out that my father had cancer and was being helped by the Macmillan Nurses. Sadly he passed away a couple of weeks after the event but I'm hoping that we can top £10,000 for Macmillan this year, so they can continue the fantastic support they provide. Last year's event raised £9800 for Macmillan and organisers are hoping to mark the tenth anniversary by topping the £10,000 mark for the first time. Teams from Chesterfield to Sheffield and even as far away as Buckinghamshire come to take part in this unique event to raise money for Macmillan. This year there is even interest from Australia! Mark Phelan, age 52 from Norton in Sheffield adds, -When George first approached me to help him form a team for the Water Bombing event, I didn't hesitate. I had great fun creating the many fancy dress costumes we wore including our version of giant 'human' fairy tale books and an alien complete with spaceship. He continues, -Macmillan do amazing work and this fun event is a great way to help them raise much needed resources. Over the next two years Macmillan is spending £2 million in South Yorkshire to fund a range of new services, including an End of Life Care project Team based across Sheffield Hospitals and in care homes who will support and care for patients, plus a 1-2-1 Support Nurse who will support Colorectal and Breast Cancer patients who have been discharged following treatment. To take part, each team pays a £20 registration fee and aims to raise a minimum of £406sponsorship - £406 could fund two Macmillan nurses for a whole day, giving vital help and support in Sheffield. To register, call 0300 1000 200 or Email: wwbc01@gmail.com to get your registration form Teams members must be aged 18 and over.