Race for Life... pin-point logistics helps to keep Britain's biggest fundraising event series on track
With an incredible 750,000 women taking part during 2009, Race for Life organised by Cancer Research UK is one of Britain's largest series of fundraising events, and with no fewer than 280 events taking place across the country, the demand on supply logistics is considerable.To increase fundraising income, Cancer Research UK offers companies the opportunity to provide samples and information about relevant products, which are packed into 'goody bags' and distributed at the finish line to all participants, along with a medal and bottle of water.
More than three quarters of a million goody bags have to be packed over the course of the summer and variously distributed, often within short time slots, to town and country venues, some of them in far flung parts of mainland Britain and Northern Ireland.
For Cancer Research UK, this posed the challenge of finding a main stream logistics provider structured to make a series of 'one-off' shipments, on time and off the beaten track, but at rates that would leave the charity confident it had made best use of its resources.
Tony Furlong, Procurement Manager for Cancer Research UK, said: "Race for Life presents special logistical challenges. At its peak in June, we can have 24 events scheduled on one single day, so we need a nimble outsourced service provider like Prolog with big capacity and the readiness to respond to the unexpected at short notice."
Prolog Logistics combines the advantages of a robust road transport infrastructure and almost 30 years' experience in fulfilment services, evidenced in the design of its warehouses and in the skill and adaptability of its teams of hand packers. Prolog also offers Cancer Research UK the benefits of location, since it can accept and process stock at strategic hubs in East Anglia, the East Midlands and the North West of England.
During 2009, the first consignment rolled out of Prolog's Sudbury, Suffolk distribution centre on the morning of May 2, destined for Norwich and the opening Race for Life event of the year.
Claire Rowney, Head of Events for Cancer Research UK, said: "Ensuring we have the right number of goody bags at every event and on time is essential to help provide a great experience for the women who take part. With the support provided by Prolog, we can ensure that all Race for Life participants have a wonderful time and raise money to help the crucial work of Cancer Research UK."
Since Race for Life began in 1994, more than four million women have come together to raise in excess of £240 million for Cancer Research UK's lifesaving work.
During the successful 2009 series, Prolog delivered support materials to almost every corner of the country, at all hours and under widely varying conditions. So it was essential that schedules remained flexible up to the very last minute to ensure the highest level of support at the events.
During 2009 Prolog Logistics also provided support for Cancer Research UK's ten-km event series and the Bobby Moore Fund, Run for Moore five-km events.
