Donkey Derby
A Great Family Day Out
Every year, normally towards the end of May, the Club
organises a Donkey Derby in Burnham Park in aid of Cancer Care charities. Thousands of
people come to watch the races and enjoy all the fun of the fair rides, circus and arena
events. There are also refreshment stalls, a Bar and a Tote for those who would like to
have a flutter on the races. Many local organisations are normally represented on their
own stalls.
Admission to the grounds is free.
There are rides for all ages -
-but leave some to the circus experts 
The Donkey Derby has become the most popular
community event in the area and attracts visitors not only from Burnham and the
surrounding villages but also from Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead. More than 12,000
programmes for the event are distributed at nearby supermarkets and shopping centres in
the five or six weeks before the event.
Give
the kids a treat
- or simply soak up the sun
Bill Owen, of Last of the Summer Wine fame, opened the first two Donkey Derbies and since then celebrities such as Roy Castle, Johnny Ball and Eddie Kidd have generously given of their time to open the proceedings.
In 2007 the Donkey Derby will be held on 26th May. If your organisation would like to have a stall at the Donkey Derby or you would like further information about the event please contact James Watts on 01628 622013 (home) or 01753 840111
Free Parking
Car parking is normally provided in Burnham Park. The sole
vehicle entrance is from the south side of the park in Priory Road near its junction with
Stomp Road
Helping Cancer Care Charities
The proceeds from this major
fund-raising event are usually donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Care organisation, the
Thames Valley Hospice and other Rotary charities. Since the event first started in 1992
the Rotary Club has been able to donate over £100,000 pounds to these and other excellent
causes such as MacMillan Nurses and the Roy Castle Cause for Hope. Donations have also
been made to Wexham Park Hospital for the provision of patient controlled analgesic
machines.
Watch out for our collectors at local supermarkets and shopping centres.
The Marie Curie organisation provides care for over 22,000 patients annually in their own homes through the services of highly trained Marie Curie nurses. Care is provided day and night for people critically ill with cancer and their families, the services being entirely free. The club's donations to Marie Curie are always earmarked for local nursing provision.
The Thames Valley Hospice is the local hospice providing in-patient care and day care for the terminally ill.
Please help them to continue this vital work.