The 24-hour race is on for accelerator appeal

Maxwell Kusi Obodum • Published 27 May 2012 08:00

A FORMER Reading schoolboy will fuel our Accelerator Appeal when he puts his foot down for a gruelling 24-hour race.

Lee Hatton will belt up as part of a five-man team taking to the track for the epic 24 Hour Kart Race at the iconic Le Mans circuit in France on Saturday, June 30 in aid of our campaign to raise £100,000 towards a fifth Linear Accelerator (Linac) for the Royal Berkshire Hospital's Cancer Centre.

The challenge, which takes place two weeks after the world famous Le Mans 24 Hour race, begins at noon, with 40 teams completing laps of the Circuit Alan Prost, in twin-engined pro karts until noon the next day. Team members will take turns to drive 90-minute stints - only stopping to change drivers or refuel.

Lee, 35, raised in Kidmore End and a former Chiltern Edge student is revving up for the challenge for his dad Roger, from Emmer Green, who is receiving treatment for oesophageal cancer at the Royal Berks.

The estate manager, whose team has already raised over £1,700 towards its £5,000 target, said: "It's going to be a tough challenge but it's such an iconic track. We'll be reaching speeds of up to 70mph and only a few inches off the ground.

"I am doing it for the Berkshire Cancer Centre - they have provided brilliant care for my dad. Their treatments have given him a chance to enjoy life for a few more years and the new Linac will make a big difference to them."

His team mates are James Briggs from Thatcham, Henry Laithwaite, from Marlow, Chris Taylor from Watlington and Ben Postlethwaite, from Henley, son of the late Formula One Ferrari technical director Harvey Postlethwaite.

They will race an estimated 1,500 laps and are aiming for a top 10 finish. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/lemans2012

The £1m Electa Compact, the first of its kind in the country, is a smaller version of the hospital's four linear accelerators (Linacs) which destroy cancerous tumours using highly accurate radiation beams. Two larger Linacs are already in use at the Royal Berks, a partially constructed one is coming online later this year and there is another at the Royal Berkshire Bracknell Clinic.

To donate contact 0118 322 6969 or email charity@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

Donors can also text RBCL05 to 70070 followed by any amount from £1 to £10, and ticking the gift aid box if applicable.

People can also send cheques addressed to 'The Royal Berks Charity Accelerator Fund' to Accelerator Appeal Royal Berks Charity, FREEPOST RLRJ-XCXE-XCZH, Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading RG1 5AN.

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