SPONSORS supporting a thrilling zip wire challenge at Folkestone Racecourse have pledged to encourage their staff to get involved.

Bouverie Place Shopping Centre and Folkestone Racecourse are the first organisations to announce their support of the of the event.

The event will give a fund-raising boost to the Pilgrims Hospices in East Kent and Kent Walking Bus and test the mettle of the people of Kent.

A minimum of 50 people are needed to rise to the challenge and take part in this thrilling zip wire event but organisers hope 100 will sign up. The adrenaline event is being staged at Folkestone Racecourse on Saturday, March 29.

To request an event pack simply apply online at the abseil section of the website www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk

Organisers are appealing for additional sponsors to come forward to help cover the cost of the specialist equipment and staff being drafted in to run the event safely at the racecourse.

Bouverie Place shopping centre manager Paul Stone said sponsoring the charity challenge was a great way to strengthen links with the community and he is confident a number of staff at the mall will get involved.

Mr Stone said: "There has been a great deal of interest in Bouverie Place since we opened on November 26.

"We believe that it is important that we support as many local initiatives as we can, whether that is through supporting local charity events such as this, or becoming involved in other community events and projects. During the forthcoming year we intend to put on a number of events that will support good causes."

He added: "The Centre can act as a focal point and a voice for events and local community based projects and become more than just a Shopping experience.

"We are pleased and proud to do whatever we can to help raise the profile of local charities and of course in doing so help to raise much needed funds for them."

Emma Santer of Folkestone Racecourse said she was delighted to support the charity zip wire event for a second year.

"It was a fantastic success last year and I have no doubt the public will get behind the charity challenge again this year. The causes to benefit are excellent."

Businesses wanting to follow the lead of Bouverie Place shopping centre and Folkestone Racecourse and sponsor the event should contact Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752.

Zip wire fact-file

The zip wire will be fixed four storeys up to the roof of the main stand where the TV cameras are positioned on race days allowing participants in a safety harness to zip down the 150 yard wire to the racecourse track.

To take part our brave participants must raise a minimum of £75 in sponsorship.

Proceeds from the event will be divided between the Pilgrims Hospices, which will receive 70 per cent of the funds raised, and the children?s road safety charity Kent Walking Bus Project, which will receive 30 per cent of sponsorship raised.

The zip wire is being organised on the day by Avalon Adventures which is the professional firm that staged the highly successful abseil at Charter House two years ago for the Mary Webb Cancer Appeal.

For information contact Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752.

Land on the turf of the Kent National

ZIP wire participants will be land at the end of their challenge on the turf where the first Kent National will be staged.

Modelled on the the Grand National at Aintree, but given a Kent twist, the local event will be staged on February 27 with horses completing a tough three mile and seven furlong course aimed at testing horse and rider to the limit.

The Kent National will attract quality horses and organisers hope will become an annual event.

Up to 16 horses will make the line up and will race just over three times around the Folkestone course whilst negotiating 22 steeplechase fences in a bid to win the £25,000 prize money on offer. The restaurant and corporate hospitality suites will be available for this date and it is advisable to book early. Tickets will also be available online at www.folkestone-racecourse.co.uk For information call Emma Santer on 01303 405800