Power struggle row threatens Egg Run charity

Apr 1 2008 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

The 2008 Wirral Egg Run gets under way in New Brighton _220

A ROW which could threaten the future of the Wirral Egg run has broken out between the organisers of the charity event.

The wrangle comes only a fortnight after the most successful event ever in the 28-year history of the Egg run, which is now Europe’s biggest fundraising motorcycle convoy.

It involves thousands of bikers gathering in Wirral to take part in a 20-mile run to help deliver presents and Easter eggs to sick children.

The argument centres on a new limited company, the Wirral Egg Run, set up last November to organise the charity run, after previous events had to be cancelled because of safety fears.

Ian Kendrick, chairman of the company, claims it has taken over from the organising committee.

But members of the committee disagree and say they have re-tained overall control of the char-ity race and the company only runs it on their behalf.

Last week, a vote of no confi-dence was passed in Mr Kend-rick, by the organising committee. While they acknow-ledge the success of this year’s Egg Run, they are believed to be unhappy with Mr Kendrick’s plans for the event and with his personal management style.

In his defence, Mr Kendrick said he wanted to put the event on a more professional footing and characterised the dispute as a row between the “old guard” and the “new guard”.

He also said the vote of no con-fidence was irrelevant as the old committee had disbanded itself when his limited company took over the running of the event.

It has led to a situation where both sides are now threatening legal action against the other, putting future Egg Runs in jeop-ardy unless a resolution can be found. Matt Rose, acting chair-man of the committee, said he did not want to get involved in a “slanging match” with Mr Kend-rick and refused to reveal why his company had been dismissed.

He added: “We recognise that this year’s event was very successful, but we feel that Mr Kendrick is not the right person to carry on as part of the team and we were hoping he would walk away with some dignity.

“There have been a lot of problems behind the scenes which the general public don’t get to see, but his conduct was less than should be desired.

“The last thing we want is for the image of the Egg Run to be tarnished or a costly legal battle, which this could lead up to.”

He said Mr Kendrick’s company had only been set up to run the event on the committee’s behalf, and they retained the power to dismiss him.

Mr Kendrick was not present at the meeting when the vote of no confidence in him was taken.

Speaking on his behalf, David Kirwan, senior partner at Kirwans solicitors, said Mr Kendrick was saddened and upset by the allegations made against him, which he denied.

He added: “The Egg Run has moved to a new level of organisation and quality this year, but certain members of the old committee are unprepared to move with the times.

“The most important voices in how the Egg Run goes forward should be the riders, spectators and hundreds of helpers who were unanimous in their declaration that this year’s event was the best ever.

“My client is saddened by the allegations that have been made, coming just days after the conclu-sion of the most successful ever Egg Run in its 28-year history.

“This was also the first Egg Run to have the official backing of both the police and Wirral Council, who were both highly impressed by the level of organisation and attention to detail surrounding this year’s event.”

This year’s Egg Run has so far raised more than £20,000 to help pay towards medical equipment for young patients at Wirral’s Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals, over £5,000 more than last year’s previous record total.

TO WATCH video and view a picture gallery from this year’s Egg Run, visit liverpooldailypost.co.uk

alanweston