by Jan Thom

Lord Seb Coe may think he has a job on organising the 2012 London Olympics.

But his task is nothing compared to the hard work that goes in annually to Jeannette and Richard Spooner’s Pub Olympics.

This year was the fifth time the couple have organised the event in memory of their daughter Rachael , who died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage in 2004.

The games are just one way the couple raise funds for Rachael’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Fund, which pays for extras at the ICU at Medway Hospital where she died.

This year’s event attracted a record 19 teams representing Sittingbourne pubs. And some pubs were so keen to take part, they entered more than one team.

Contestants set off on the Olympic course from different ends of the town, starting at The Wheatsheaf, East Street, and the King’s Head, Charlotte Street.

A series of challenges, including pie throwing, balloon relay, killer darts, pool, golf putting and egg and spoon, were laid on at pubs en route.

These were The Old Oak, Foresters Arms, The Entertainer, Stumble Inn, The Bull, The Fountain, Globe and Engine and the Ypres Tavern.

The day’s events concluded at the Wyvern Hall in the Swallows Leisure Centre, where team captains took part in a space hopper sprint, won by the King’s Head Fairies.

Overall Olympic champs were last year’s victors from the Ypres Tavern, with silver medal position going to The Half Pinters from the Globe and Engine. Bronze went to the King’s Head Irish team. Proud winners of the wooden spoon were the Forester’s Rejects.

Athletes enjoyed a karaoke disco to round off another successful event.

But teams have been invited to carry on fundraising for Rachael’s ICU Fund until a post-Olympics party at the Ypres Tavern on September 20.

Jeannette said: “This should take the total to more than £1,000. Richard and I want to thank everyone who helped and gave so much.”

Since the first Pub Olympics, more than £15,000 has been raised. Jeannette and Richard are also strong promoters of organ donation.

For more pictures from the event, see this Friday’s Sittingbourne Messenger.