Ashby soapbox racers to raise money for boys’ treatment

A group of fathers compete in a soap race to raise money for an eight-year-old boy who is receiving treatment in the US.

Dubbed the Hilltop Daddies, Marcus Dorey, Oliver Thomas and Tristan Marshall built a vehicle inspired by Mario Kart.

They will race their ‘Bullet Bill’ car in the first ever Ashby Soapbox Derby on Sunday to raise funds for local boy Alfred, who was born with a brain injury.

Alfred’s mother Emma said she was “incredibly grateful”.

Mr Dorey, a former go-kart racer, said he had always wanted to take part in a soapbox race.

“We got the kids involved who had some weird and wild ideas and then it was a case of deciding on something we could actually build,” he said.

“We had a few pub meetings and decided we all love Mario Kart and decided this was the way to go.”

Zouch’s Ashby trio will compete against 33 other adult teams during the race, which was organized by the Ashby Business Improvement District.

They were inspired to take part to raise money for Team Alfred, a charity that raises money for Alfred’s treatment.

Mum Emma, ​​34, said she was told “by everyone that Alfred wouldn’t do anything” after her son, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, suffered a brain injury at birth.

But she said that despite significantly limited mobility, Alfred’s condition had improved since he went to the US for treatment.

“There’s no barrier for him. He wants to walk one day and we think if we give him the right tools, he will,” Emma said.

She said the family will be at the race on Sunday to cheer on the Hilltop Dads.