Sport Relief Mile & Brunei Regatta 2014

March so far has had a bit of a sporting flavour. This month, together with other British Embassies and High Commissions around the world, we have been helping to raise money for Sport Relief Mile. These are mass participation events open to anyone willing to run, walk or go the mile by whatever means.

We were very lucky to have as our Brunei partner the Jerudong International School. They arranged the one mile route mostly under shaded walkways – just as well, as it was a blisteringly hot day.Hundreds of school students did the run throughout the day. Before I set off with the first group, we all had to do a warm up led by the school’s PE teachers dressed up in animal costumes (not a sight I ever saw at my school …)

British High Commission colleagues were also there to raise extra money from a homemade cake stall. The best thing about the day was that all the money raised will go to a local charity, SMARTER Brunei which does a great job running three centres for those affected by autism. Young people from the SMARTER centres were there to join in the fun.

More photos from the Sports Relief event can be found on our UKinBrunei Flickr.

A few days earlier, I had taken part in the Brunei Regatta 2014. Regattas for me conjure up pictures of English summer afternoons, with rowing boats gliding along the Thames watched by elegant spectators sipping cool drinks on the river bank. The Brunei Regatta was a more hands on (or paddles down) experience.

With other Ambassadors and High Commissioners, I took part in a race which also included other boats captained by His Majesty the Sultan and the Crown Prince. The week before, I had gone each day with my fellow diplomats for a late afternoon practice on the river, coached by the local fire brigade. Come the day, we paddled furiously to complete the 1 kilometre route. Our style certainly wasn’t elegant. But it was a memorable Sunday afternoon on the beautiful Brunei River.