Dear Competitor\Spectator
RE: SAFETY OF CHILDREN – World Coal Carrying Championships, Gawthorpe Village – Easter Monday
We want all competitors and their families to have an enjoyable and safe experience today and the last thing we would want to do is to spoil your fun!
In recent years we have had some incidences where young children have seen their parent, family member or friend running past them in the race and in their excitement, have run onto the course to run alongside them to encourage them to the finish. Whilst this is understandable, it is also very dangerous to their safety and wellbeing. As you will be aware, sacks of 50kg of coal could seriously harm a child if this was to drop on them, something we all want to avoid.
Things to remember to help keep children safe:
- Being in an unfamiliar environment, a child will be less able to recognise danger
- They may become lost or be injured if unaccompanied
- Their inquisitiveness may lead them to take risks
The finish area can become very congested with runners coming in needing to get their coal sacks on the green and we respectfully ask that family members and friends of competitors and those who have children with them please ensure that they remain behind the barriers or off the course. A safe area at the side of the Maypole Pizza Shop is a place where families can be re-united with competitors who have finished their race and when the race vehicles have left for the next race.
If they do become separated from parents or carers, the Lost Children Point will be situated on the Maypole Green, where appropriate Event Stewards will care them for until they can be reunited with parents/carers.
We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy this popular community event.
Yours sincerely,
Duncan Smith
Gawthorpe Maypole Committee (President)