AN ASTOUNDING total of more than £40,000 has been raised in support of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice from Farnham’s first ever soapbox race.

The soapbox committee – Tony Dougherty, Lee Moran, Miles Auckland, Bryan Blencowe and Katie Osborn – met at the hospice in Farnham on Monday to present the cheque of £43,252 to staff.

In a statement on the Farnham Soapbox Facebook page, organisers said: “The final act of the committee is to announce the total raised and to present the cheque to the wonderful charity at the centre of our efforts.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped us to raise this amazing total that we are all so proud of. Without all of the help, support and the donations it would not have been possible.”

Charli Quay-Barnham, community fundraising manager said: “The Farnham Soapbox organising committee, made up of extraordinary individuals from our community, worked so hard to make this event a success for everyone to enjoy in Farnham.

“We are incredibly grateful for their support and were delighted to receive such a generous donation.”

She confirmed the donation could pay for “11 months care from one of our Hospice Care at Home nurses”, and added: “Support from our community, like the Soapbox team and their fantastic fundraising means that our care can continue free of charge to patients and their families, which is really, really important.”

But that’s not the end for the soapbox derby, with the event set to return to Whitehill & Bordon in 2020.

Managing director at SiGNAL, which offers low-cost workshop and office space for small businesses, Emma Selby confirmed this week they are “definitely going to take it on”.

She said: “It will be a SiGNAL event, and we will handle the management and marketing.

“A committee will meet for the first time in early October and we are looking at running the event in July or August next year.

“We are liaising with Whitehill Town Council and East Hampshire District Council.

“Some of us were involved in the Farnham derby in marshalling roles. We are talking to the people who ran the Farnham event and we also aim to track down those who put it on in Bordon before.”

Previous soapbox derbies were held on Chalet Hill, Bordon, on May 30, 2011, and June 4, 2012.

Ms Selby added: “It’s a hugely popular event and there is a great appetite for it on the social media pages. We are really looking forward to it.”