Tuesday, 24 February 2009 There were four Lords-a-leaping with joy today after they tossed their way to victory in the annual Parliamentary pancake race.
Peers may have faced a media battering in recent weeks but they got their revenge by pipping Westminster journalists to the post in the charity event. MPs were left feeling rather flat though as they trailed in a distant third in the contest, held to raise awareness of the work of national brain injury charity Rehab UK. Liberal Democrat trio Lords Redesdale, Addington and Dholakia joined forces with Lord Morris of Manchester in a Lib-Lab pact to seal victory. Rehab UK used the event to announce an expansion of its services to people with learning difficulties and disabilities, such as motor neurone disease or cerebral palsy. Lord Morris said: “It was another great race and we are delighted to be taking the trophy. Of course, we’re just pleased to be able to join with Rehab UK and to play our part in highlighting the really important issue of brain injury, particularly among young people, and how we help those who find themselves in this unfortunate situation to rebuild their lives.”
Ian Welsh, Rehab Group’s director of UK services, said: “It is estimated that more than 135,000 people leave hospital in the UK every year having sustained a serious head injury.