The Soapbox Stars Kart Race scheduled for Dunorlan Park next month nearly had to be cancelled after insurers across the UK all refused to back it.
The soapbox race will see competitors in elaborately designed go karts speed down a hill in Dunorlan Park on Saturday, June 25 to raise money for charity, but recent incidents in other parts of the country has made insurers nervous of such events.
Founder of Soapbox Stars, Nicole Piesse Turner, whose marketing company Chatty Hatter organises the event, had been told it was impossible to hold the fundraising event after all UK insurers said they would not cover soapbox derbies for public liability.
Ms Turner said the news had left her ‘devastated’ but in an eleventh-hour rescue bid, local business rallied round to provide support and a Tunbridge Wells insurer, NFU Mutual, stepped in to offer the event cover to ensure it could go ahead.
“For a terrifying moment we were facing the very real possibility that the races were going to be cancelled for a third year, but thanks to our extraordinary business community pulling together to help secure insurance, the heroes at NFU Mutual came to our rescue,” said Ms Piesse Turner.
“Huge thanks go to all those who supported us particularly Markerstudy, Nick Moore, operations manager at Elite Leisure Collection and Polly at the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre who went over and above to help us.”
Shaun Joubert of NFU Mutual, which is based on the High Street, and has now entered this year’s Soapbox Stars said: “NFU Mutual Tunbridge Wells Agency’s ethos is to support and be part of the local community.
“When I read Nicole’s email and realised how close the event was to her heart, I got on the phone straight away and felt we needed to do everything we could to source cover.
“We will now be racing this year and are really looking forward to it.”
For tickets and more information on the event visit twsoapboxrace.com
