FOLLOWING a year's hard training it was time for the Bere Alston Trekkers (BATs) to hang up their trainers and celebrate the club successes at their presentation evening held at the Ganges restaurant in Tavistock The BATs have taken part in more than 20 races during the past year as well as welcoming a number of new members in the summer, who are maintaining their training during the cold winter months. Alongside the training has been the continuation of fund raising with more than £3,000 being raised for local causes. There were four awards during the evening — new comer male, Ralph Elmes; newcomer female, Julie Page; club member, Dotty Allan, while the club athlete of the year was Laurence Sargeant. There was also the presentation of further goodies from club members to Dotty Allan, the club chair. The club's London Marathon place was won by Mary Kelly and the charity place by Samantha Grylls. Dotty will also be running the London Marathon in April after securing a place through the ballot. 2007 will see BATs raising money for Children's Hospice South West and its annual fund raising sale will be held in January while further members of the club will be gaining their coaching certificates. With the migration of two of BATs members to Melbourne, BATs intend spreading their wings and opening a sister club in Australia in the Spring (Bats Down Under). Members wish family, friends, colleagues and everyone else that has helped us over the past 12 months with its fundraising a happy new year.
