Up to 4,000 numbered balls will tumble down Cargate Hill on Wednesday to raise vital funds for local community groups across the Yorkshire Coast.
Thousands of brightly coloured balls will cascade down a Filey street on Wednesday to raise thousands of pounds for Yorkshire Coast community groups.
Cash prizes will reward the sponsors of the first six balls to cross the finish line during the annual Filey Lions charity event. Up to 4,000 numbered spheres will tumble down Cargate Hill on Wednesday the 12th of August, released from the bucket of a large mechanical digger.
Community members can watch the spectacle for free, while tickets to sponsor a competing ball cost one pound each. Organisers expect large crowds to line both sides of the steep road for the evening race, creating a lively atmosphere in the coastal town.
Filey Lions President Mike Gibson said:
"The ball race has been going just over 20 years and effectively we put this year up to 4000 bulls into the bucket of a large digger then send them down and the sort course that we create at Cargate Hill in Filey and the first 6 balls across the line win cash prizes.
When the event started, there there was about 1500 and last year we had 3500 but before the event even started we sold out. So we we put another 500 on to give everybody the opportunity to buy their tickets."
The steep gradient of Cargate Hill provides a natural racetrack for the event, the race will start at 7:30, just after the partial solar eclipse, spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good vantage point along the route.
Filey Lions President Mike Gibson explained the evening's schedule and highlighted a new addition for younger visitors:
"If you can imagine 4,000 coloured balls streaming down a road. We actually tip the balls at 7:30 and we try to get it done promptly. So everyone gets there they're on time. We would say get there for 6:30 latest, 6:45 because it does get busy, Cargate Hill is lined both sides at the bottom and at the top.
Yeah, it's definitely a spectacular event in Filey and really good fun. And we've had a little bit extra this year for the youngsters of Filey as well. In conjunction with the North Yorkshire Literacy Trust, we're doing a book hunt around the Crescent Gardens and the Esplanade Gardens."
The new book hunt around Crescent Gardens and Esplanade Gardens aims to engage children before the main spectacle begins, adding an educational twist to the evening's entertainment.
All proceeds from the one-pound tickets directly benefit local causes across the Yorkshire Coast. The Filey Lions have a long history of distributing vital funds to those in need throughout the immediate area, relying on the success of events like the ball race to maintain their charitable efforts.
Mike Gibson detailed the significant financial impact the fundraising event has on the local area:
"All the money Filly Lines raise goes to local charities, local community groups in Filly and the surrounding areas. Every penny goes back into the community. Last year we gave away circa £22,000 to local charity groups and community groups."
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