Moonraker Awards

Local charities ARC inspire and Escape Support Group will benefit from the Lion’s share of proceeds from the 2024 Moonraker Challenge. This annual night orienteering event organised and promoted by Taunton Vale Rotary Club has raised over 15 thousand pounds.

Starting at Staple Fitzpayne, teams competed over 7 or 14 mile courses, navigating in the dark and solving clues along the way.

This year’s long course winners were Team Prosper.  M D Maunder gained the most points on the shorter route.

The team ‘Trail Blazers’ (see picture above) raised £1,060 in sponsorship winning the special award for the team raising the most money for charity.

At the recent awards ceremony held at Oake Manor, Taunton Vale Rotary President Kathryn Robinson-Burge said: “Moonraker is a team effort, not just by Rotarians but with a small army of friends, partners, helpers and, of course, the vital team members who do the walking. All are valued and much appreciated. We must also mention our sponsors -

“This is the 39th Moonraker Challenge staged by the club and over the years approaching half a million pounds has been raised for local good causes.”

The 2024 event headquarters was at Staple Farm, courtesy of farmer Mark Pope.  In gratitude, the Club has made a donation of £250  to St Margaret's Somerset Hospice, Mark's chosen charity.

Refresh and recharge at a checkpoint en route<br>

Ready for the next sector challenge<br>