Mark Harrod Ltd officially launch GoalFest at CarFest

This year's CarFest in aid of Children in Need had an extra sporty feel, thanks to Suffolk sports equipment manufacturer Mark Harrod Ltd

Earlier this year, nine year old Tobey Ferguson captivated the nation's hearts when he called in to the Chris Evans breakfast show on Radio 2 to tell him the sorry tale that he and his friends were unable to play a proper game of football at school as the goalposts had been vandalised. Within minutes of his story airing, kind-hearted staff at Mark Harrod Ltd who'd been listening to the tale unfold, contacted the show to offer a helping hand. Just 24 hours later both Mark Harrod and Chris Evans were at Weeke Primary School in Winchester to play an inaugural game of football with Tobey and his friends, and a brand new set of Mark Harrod Ltd goalposts.

But Mark's generous gesture wasn't the end of the story. After their kickabout with Tobey, Chris and Mark began talking about the upcoming CarFest weekends. Inspired by music-loving petrolhead Chris, CarFest takes place over two separate weekends, in two different locations, giving thousands of people from all over the country the opportunity to combine their passions for great music and amazing motors. With all proceeds going to Children in Need, Mark was keen to get more involved and GoalFest was born.

Mark and his team got to work to create a designated area for both editions of CarFest where families could enjoy a whole variety of sports. Using Mark Harrod Ltd's exclusive ground-screw technology which means that any rugby goal or ball stop post can be quickly and easily installed without the need for digging or concreting, dozens of rugby, football and netball goals were set up. Professional coaches from the Rugby Football Union, local Football Associations and England Netball were all on hand to offer expert advice. Festival-goers were encouraged to compete to be the highest goal-scorer of their group, with the lucky winners taking home their very own Mark Harrod Ltd goal.

Speaking at CarFest South where he officially opened the GoalFest area alongside Chris Evans, Tobey Ferguson and a huge crowd from Weeke Primary School as well as Pudsey of course, Mark Harrod said: "We are so pleased to have been able to help Tobey earlier on in the year, and go on to create GoalFest. To see so many children enjoying the chance to practice their sporting skills has been fantastic, even more so because they're raising money for a great cause in Children in Need at the same time. We're really grateful to Chris for his help in turning the idea into a reality and we're already thinking of what we can do next!"

For more information, visit www.markharrod.com.