On Wednesday, 24th September, in The Mayoral Suite, in the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton, the Presentation of the 2025 Best Foot Forwrad Event took place.
- Best Foot Forward is a unique fund-raising concept, devised and organised by the Rotary Club of the City of Wolverhampton.
- Funds are released from a “Charity Pot” by members of the public completing laps of the Aldersley Stadium track, at any time of their choosing between 8am and 8pm, with each lap releasing £1 from the Pot for the event charities.
- The Charity Pot is provided by 26 Patrons – companies and organisations, who each donated from £300 upwards.
- This year’s Charity Pot amounted to £16,000.
- On the day, a record of 760 runners covered 19,421 laps, over 4,800 miles.
- 23 runners qualified for the BFF 2025 Centurions Club, having exceeded 100 laps of the Stadium. These included Jamie Bird, who completed 204 laps, the first double Centurion since 2019.
- This year’s Charities were The Central Youth Theatre, The Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre and the Club’s own Charitable Trust.
- Cheques for £5,333 were presented by Mayor Cllr Craig Collingswood to:
The Central Youth Theatre – accepted by Anthony Allen MBE.
The Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre – accepted by Derek Clarke.
The Club’s Charitable Trust benefited by £2,300.
- In addition to the Charity Pot, £13,405 was raised independently by other charities, using the event as a means of boosting their own funds. The total known to be raised as a result of Best Foot Forward 2025, was £27,203.
- Launched in 2013, over the eleven occasions it has been held, Best Foot Forward has raised £138,746 for the event Charities and has also enabled other charities to boost their funds by £95,379.
- The total sum distributed to City Charities as a result of the establishment of Best Foot Forward now stands at £234,025.
- Best Foot Forward 2026 will be staged at Aldersley Stadium, on Saturday 27th June 2026.
Heading the committee within the club, Richard Horrell started the proceedings, by welocoming all of the guests, paying special thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Craig Collingswood and Abby Collingswood. Cheques of £5,333 were presented firstly to Anthony Allen MBE of Wolverhampton Central Youth Theatre, and then also to Derek Clark, chairman of the Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre.
Left to Right-Richard Horrell with Derek Clark and Anthony Allen MBE, Abby and Craig Collingswood. Jamie Bird, a new double centurian having completed 204 laps in 12 hours, with the Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Craig Collingswood and Abby Collingswood. Then Brian Slater (116 laps), Jamie Bird again and Sharon Messam(160laps). Brian is seen holding the certificate of Earl Edwards (171 laps) who sadly could not attend the presentation.
