Previously known as ‘The Varsity Games’, students from BTC and Richard Huish would compete in a variety of sports, however Richard Huish couldn’t play this year, so the ‘Celebration of Sport’ was born.

Celebration of Sport is designed to encourage people to participate in sport and raise money for Bloodwise. This is in memory of former colleague and founder of Team BTC, Luke Buckingham who sadly passed away from Leukaemia in 2015.

Leading up to the event, fundraising started with a 24 hour spin marathon and cake sales, which raised over £350.

On the day itself, students competed in a range of sporting events including cricket, golf, hockey, trampolining, basketball, netball, rugby and football. Not only did students compete, but a staff team played a hockey fixture. These fixtures were played against either other colleges such as Exeter College and Kingston Maurwood, or against staff.

This year saw Team BTC Legends play in the netball, basketball and football fixtures. These former college students compete against the current teams and had a ball. All the fixtures were very competitive and great for both current and former students.

Overall £650 was raised to add to Luke’s Just Giving page which has now raised over £92,000 since its inception up three years ago.

Bob Buckingham, Luke’s Father and Bridgwater Town FC Vice Chairman said, “’Gill and I were delighted when the Varsity Games was created back in 2016 as part of Luke’s legacy, and excited to see it develop into a day so aptly entitled a Celebration of Sport. The event has captured Luke’s spirit, his passion for sport and young people, and reinforces his inherent belief that #betterneverstops.”

“We are both humbled and grateful for the fundraising efforts for the charity Bloodwise who continue to help fund research that will, one day, rid the world of the cruel and indiscriminate disease that is leukaemia”

Team BTC Manager, Jamie Laird said; “It was a brilliant day to be involved in, as we managed to get all our performance sports involved, making it the biggest event we’ve done so far. It was great to have staff take part as well as former students return to meet the new cohort and share their stories. Leah Burridge, Rosie May and the Team BTC Activators did a tremendous job raising money for such a great cause.”