'Late night training sessions' pay off as MPs win charity pancake race for second year in a row

MPs out-flipped the team of Lords and journalists in the annual Rehab Parliamentary pancake race, winning for the second year in a row.

The race is the 20th year, MPs, Lords and members of the media have flipped pancakes in support of the Rehab charity.

Rehab Group provides life-changing services in the areas of vocational rehabilitation and social care support, particularly for those living with an acquired brain injury.

The 2017 race team captains were Minister for Sports, Tourism & Heritage, Tracey Crouch MP, Baroness Bertin, and ITV News Presenter, Alistair Stewart. The media team came second, with the Lords' team trailing in third place to be awarded the wooden spoon.

After the race was over, Tracey Crouch MP, Minister for Sports, Tourism & Heritage, and captain of the winning MPs' team, said: “As befits its 20th anniversary, this year's Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race really was among the best yet in the history of the race. I think it's fair to say it will undoubtedly live on in the minds of participants as one of the most challenging and hard-won contests yet.

“All credit due to my colleagues on the MPs' team, after weeks of early morning and late night training sessions, they answered the call and came out flipping fit. Our people were bold, they were gutsy, and they seized every opportunity we could from an opposition who really put it up to us. Of course, we do this not for the pride and glory of being champions. We do this because the Rehab charity does such great work with the disabled, who deserve all our support in realising their potential and in ensuring that they have the opportunity to live their lives to the full."

The race took place in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, with the 2017 Official Starter, BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty, saying: “There are a number of clearly set out 'rules of engagement' for participants in the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race. For example, pancakes must not be propelled at the opposition, frying pans are not to be used as weapons, and the pancakes must be tossed continuously throughout the race to a minimum height of three feet. I'm glad to report that all was fair and square at this year's race as none of the teams observed these rules.”

Mo Flynn, chief executive of the Rehab Group, said: “This is the 20th year of the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race and it has now practically become a Westminster institution. Each year, we are so grateful to those MPs, Lords and media who indulge their quirkier side to pull on an apron and hat, throw a few shapes and show off some pretty impressive flipping manoeuvres.”

Funds raised from the event go towards Rehab's brain injury services in Birmingham and Newcastle, while members of the public can donate £5 by simply texting "PANC17 £5" to 70070.