The Knockout Challenge ran for three years providing a day of fun for the whole family. This community event raised tens of thousands for charities and good causes including the principle event charity, CLIC Sargent, helping children with cancer.
The first Knockout Challenge was held on 30th May 2009, on a beautiful sunny day at Kesteven Rugby Football Club near Grantham in Lincolnshire. Twenty teams from all over the area, all in fancy dress, competed for a junior and senior trophy. 200 people participated in the games which went without a hitch.
Daniel Coetsee, despite undergoing chemotherapy at the time, captained his own team the Bennington Bees, which won the junior trophy. An estimated 2,000 people attended the event which also had a full range of side attractions, stalls, raffle etc. Following the games, the event continued into the evening with live music from local bands in the clubhouse. The day was considered a great success by all who took part and the decision was soon made to repeat it. It took a while to collect all the sponsorship money, but the final figures showed that the 2009 event raised over £13,500 for CLIC Sargent.
In June 2010 the event grew larger with 29 teams from across the East Midlands competing on another sunny day. In addition, the family fun day event accompanying the challenge grew to include many more charities and local good causes. During the day participants joined a successful nationwide attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest ever 3–Legged Race (Multiple Venues). Spectators also enjoyed a flypast by a spitfire courtesy of The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight who supported the event as part of the Cadet150 celebrations.
In 2011, the event expanded again. With a new venue in the Town Centre and the recognition of being one of the ten National Family Week Regional Flagship Events across the UK, the 2011 Knockout Challenge and Family Fun Day was the best yet. A particular effort was made to expand the range of activities available to families and spectators on the day. By working with our local partners including The King’s School, Grantham whose Combined Cadet Force had supported the event since its conception and Gravity FM, the local community radio station, it was an event to remember.