What a grate way to raise donations

Wigan charity Joseph's Goal is set to receive a funding boost from an unusual source after receiving backing from a cheese rolling record holder.
Cheese rollingCheese rolling
Cheese rolling

Recently crowned champ Chris Anderson is auctioning off his winning double Gloucester cheeses to raise funds for the charity.

The Cheese Rolling Championships, an annual tradition in the Cotswolds, was staged this weekend with Chris slipping and sliding his way to all three men’s downhill race prizes.

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Chris, a soldier, is supporting Joseph’s Goal because his wife’s nephew Arthur Bace also has non-ketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH).

Chris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800sChris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800s
Chris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800s

Wigan’s Joseph Kendrick - the inspiration behind Joseph’s Goal - has the life-limiting condition and the charity was set up to help fund research for advances in treatment.

Arthur’s family has set up their own campaign - Arthur’s Adventures - to support Joseph’s Goal.

Speaking after his victories at the weekend, Chris said: “(Arthur) is 11-weeks-old and we want to find a cure. There are a lot of studies going on in America. We want to raise a lot of money.

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“He’s not going to find a cure in time, but hopefully it will stop other parents having to go through it.”

Chris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800sChris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800s
Chris Anderson wins the men's race during the annual unofficial cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, where a cheese has been chased down the 200 yard, one-in-three gradient hill, annually, since the early 1800s

Chris equalled the all-time record for most cheese titles won having claimed 20 wheels in the last 13 years.

He hopes to become the outright record holder in 2018. His three winning cheeses from this year’s event will be auctioned off to the highest bidder for the charity cause.

The championships take place each Spring bank holiday and involve competitors chasing a 9lb double Gloucester cheese wheel down Cooper’s Hill at Brockworth, which has a gradient of 1:2.

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The first person over the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the cheese although it is more hazardous than it sounds - due to the uneven surface and steepness of the hill - especially when conditions are slippery under foot.

Joseph’s dad, Paul Kendrick, is our Wigan Athletic correspondent.

He said: “We’re constantly amazed and hugely grateful for the number of ways people are finding to support Joseph’s Goal.

“But this could well take the biscuit in terms of the most imaginative and innovative method so far.

“Hopefully Chris and his cheese will help bring a wedge of money on board!”

• For more information visit www.josephsgoal.org

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