Members of the Peterborough Fund-raising Committee (PFRC) for Barnardo’s are to take a leading role in the organisation of the annual North Road Championship pigeon race in Perth.

The race is the first of six organised by the North Road Championship Club (NRCC), and between 4,000 and 5,000 birds will be released at Perth racecourse and will then fly back to lofts south of the Humber – a distance of at least 250 miles.

PFRC committee member and secretary of the North Road Championship Club Stephen Spinks said: “We are delighted the NRCC has agreed to make Barnardo’s the beneficiary of a substantial donation from the proceeds of our annual Perth race.”

“The PRFC fund-raises specifically for Barnardo’s, so when it was time to plan our calendar of events for the year I proposed the pigeon race as a way to raise funds.

“The other committee members thought it was a great idea, and fortunately my colleagues at the North Road Championship Club agreed.”

Barnardo’s community fund-raiser Audrey Barnett said: “This could be a first for Barnardo’s, too. People should look out for the van which will be carrying the pigeons as we’ll have Barnardo’s banners all over; it will be a great sight.

“This is a brilliantly innovative way of fund-raising and we love it when people come up with fabulous ideas like this to raise money for our children’s charity.”

Prizes organised by the PFRC will be awarded to winners across eight regions, with the prestigious Silver Challenge Trophy being presented at an award ceremony to be held at the Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough, on November 22.

Other fund-raising events planned for 2008 include Peterborough’s Country Ball, on June 6, at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough West, a White Collar Boxing for Barnardo’s extravaganza on October 3, at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough West, and an Exclusive Autumn and Winter Fashion Evening at John Lewis, in Peterborough, on October 16.