The Bounceathon Press Coverage...

The inaugural Relay Recruitment 'bounceathon' fundraiser for the National Autistic Society drew several hundred spectators to Roundhay Park on 25th November to watch some 60 'hopper jockeys' bounce a 200m circuit, then carry their mounts for nine more laps.

Expected to raise several thousand pounds for the charity, organiser managing director, Steven Street, plans to host a similar event in Central Park in the New Year, with a much bigger follow-up in Roundhay later in 2008.

He said: "The enthusiasm for our 'space race' has really bowled me over. We didn't think the 60 Space Hoppers we brought along would all be used, yet we had enough potential riders for twice that number. Some people came from as far as Manchester and Mansfield and while it was a fun event, it was also a gruelling 2000m challenge, which everybody taking part managed to complete."