A CHARITY race night and auction added an amazing �1,946 to the bid to improve road safety in the Fens.

Race goers at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel, March, dug deep into their pockets to support the Fenland Road Safety Campaign (Charlotte’s Way) set up by campaigner Graham Chappell.

The evening was the brainchild of hotelier Rob Skoulding and his Laura and they did much of the preparation, getting together race sponsors and raffle prizes and providing the buffet. March and Chatteris Lions ran the ‘tote’ and MC was Derek Rutter who introduced each race, played out to the audience on a wide screen.

John Elworthy, editor of the Cambs Times and Wisbech Standard, conducted a charity auction at the end of the evening – which included a painting donated by artist John Abbott- and also encouraged bids for the final race.

Mr Skoulding said: “I would like to say a special thank you to all who came to the race night and helped raise so much money.”

He said Fenland road safety had been a passion of his late father, Councillor Peter Skoulding, and the last race of the evening was named in honour of the Fenland councillor and local businessman.

Major sponsors of the evening included Tradelink, Cannon Kirk, Gem Cabs, Knights Constriction, Elle D, Charble, George Tuffs & Son, and the Oliver Cromwell Hotel.

Mr Chappell told race goers their support had been “incredible” and he outlined the campaign’s barrier campaign and the urgent need to encourage greater safety among young drivers.