Team Hill Top Dads

Lisa Roulston • May 16, 2024

Team Hill Top Dads - Soapbox 12

By Graham Hill - Nub news


A group of dads will be taking part in Sunday's Ashby Soap Box Derby to raise funds for a local boy suffering from Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.

They are taking part in the event - the first of its kind in Ashby - which will see Market Street closed off for the home made vehicles to do their stuff.

The Ashby-based racers call themselves the Hilltop Dads - and the project has brought friends and family together.


But they are also racing for Team Alfred - which aims to raise funds for an eight-year-old Swadlincote-based boy who suffered a brain injury at birth in 2015.


The target is £100,000 so that he can have the intensive treatment he needs to give him the best chance of moving independently one day.


So far, over £93,000 has been raised, and Sunday's event will see them moving closer to getting over the line.


Marcus Dorey is former kart racer, and he says that, aside from the fundraising aspect, the Soap Box Derby promises to be a lot of fun for the town.


He and his team have built their own vehicle for the event, which has been organised by Ashby BID.


Marcus told Ashby Nub News: "I'm a kart racer from my childhood so when I heard about this, I thought this is right up my street.


"I got together with the dads from our school and some were up for it - so there've been plenty of pub planning meetings.


"It's been really nice, our families have been meeting at each other's houses and the kids have been sketching out designs.


"My dad's been helping out with the design of the kart as well.


"Kart racing is a bit of a retro hobby for me so I was really enthusiastic.


"We've enjoyed getting involved and we're looking forward to Sunday." 

The event will be seen by visitors to the town centre for the first time.


Marcus added: "I think the idea is the vehicles race from one end of Market Street to the other.


"As a team, we think we get about three runs down the hill.


"You can go around the chicane or take on the jump at your peril!


"We have some strategy to deal with that. The last I heard, there were about 30 teams down to take part.


"It'll be a family fun day and we know people will be coming from miles around. Local businesses are getting behind it, so it should be good for the town."


Hilltop Dads will also be sponsored by NM Joinery Design on Sunday.


But Marcus says there is also a serious side to his team's participation in the event.


He added: "We're raising money for Team Alfred - Alfred's the same age as my daughter and when we moved to Ashby, my wife met his parents.


"Alfred's desperate to do the same thing other children do, but there's no way to get the treatment needed on the NHS.


"His parents set up the charity to raise the money, and it's been fantastic to see the progress made so far. But it's all self-funded, they're a lovely family and we try to do what we can to support them.


"The more we can do while he's younger, the more he'll be able to do as an adult.


"Everyone chips in, my wife does Christmas crafts, I've covered our camper van in Christmas lights - you may have seen it around Ashby."


     




Older Blogs...


By Admin AshbyBID • October 7, 2026
Halloween is coming to Ashby, and the Ashby BID is inviting families to join us for a morning of FREE spooky fun ! Taking place on Saturday 31st October from 11am to 1pm , the Spooky Party will be held at the Tourist Information Centre at Ashby Library on North Street . A morning of Halloween fun for all the family There will be lots to keep little witches, wizards, ghosts and ghouls entertained, including: 🎨 Face painting – get transformed into your favourite spooky character. 🎈 Balloon animals – see what spooky or magical creation you can take home. 🎃 Paint your own ceramic pumpkin or suncatcher – get creative and make your own Halloween decoration. 🍬 Spooky sweets – everyone attending in fancy dress can enjoy some spooky treats! Fancy dress encouraged! What's Halloween without a bit of dressing up? Children are encouraged to come along in their favourite Halloween costume. Whether they're a scary skeleton, a wicked witch, a friendly ghost or something completely original, there will be spooky sweets waiting for everyone who arrives in fancy dress . And with face painting and balloon animals on offer, there will be plenty of opportunities to make the morning extra special. Best of all… it's FREE! The Spooky Party is completely free , giving local families the chance to enjoy a fun Halloween activity together right in the heart of Ashby. It's another example of how the Ashby BID brings businesses and the local community together , helping to create events and experiences that encourage people to visit and enjoy our town. 📅 Save the date! Saturday 31st October 11am – 1pm 📍 Tourist Information Centre, Ashby Library, North Street 🎟️ FREE ENTRY So grab your costumes, bring your little monsters and come along for a morning of Halloween fun in Ashby! We can't wait to see you there! 🎃🕷️👻
By Admin AshbyBID • October 1, 2026
Christmas in Ashby returns on Saturday 30th of November and Sunday 1st December 2026 , with festive stalls along Market Street, live entertainment, food and drink. Here's what to expect.
By Admin AshbyBID • October 1, 2026
Ashby's Late Night Shopping and Christmas Light Switch-On returns on Thursday 19 November 2026. Shops open late, festive food and the lights go on.
By Admin AshbyBID • October 1, 2026
Join our free Spooky Party at Ashby Library on Saturday 31 October, 11am to 1pm. Pumpkin painting, face painting, balloon animals and spooky sweets.
Show More