With just days to go before the inaugural Hitchin Soapbox Derby, local fundraising group Team Crackers are racing ahead—both down Windmill Hill and in their efforts to support two beloved school charities.

On Sunday 21 September 2025, Team Crackers will take part in the soapbox event, hoping their homemade racer will fly (or perhaps slide) along the track—but more importantly, that their efforts will raise much-needed funds for FOSSA (Friends of Strathmore School) and POWA (Parents of Wilshere Dacre Academy). 

Supporting local children

The group say the money they raise will go toward ongoing educational and infrastructural projects:

• A new phonics programme at Strathmore School  
• Programmable robotics for Strathmore  
• A new library room for Wilshere Dacre Junior Academy  
• Refurbishment of their playground  

They set their original fundraising goal at £500, and as of the time of writing have raised £600 — already smashing that target - lets hope they don't smash their soapbox racer!

The big day: Soapbox Derby

Hitchin's first Soapbox Derby takes place at Windmill Hill on 21 September, with racing from 11am. Spectator entry is free. 

Teams will design and build their soapbox racers, then launch themselves down the hill, hoping for glory (and few bumps). Team Crackers—Tark A, Matt E, Andy J and James L—are among those taking up the challenge. 

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For Team Crackers, the derby is more than a race: it's a chance for locals to back their schools in a tangible way. And with the fundraising already surpassing their goal, there's plenty of encouragement from neighbours.