Chester Business School student raises more than £3,600 for Mind through a Go‑Karting championship 

A Business Management and Events Management student from the University of Chester has raised an astonishing £3,690.76 for the mental health charity Mind as part of her final-year events project. 

Lauren Gillbanks, a final-year student at Chester Business School, organised the event. The Warrington Sprint Cup was a Go‑Karting Championship for both adults and juniors, hosted at TeamSport Go Karting Warrington. It brought together drivers for an action-packed day of practice sessions, qualifying rounds, heats, semi‑finals, and finals, with winners crowned in each category. Alongside the racing, guests took part in additional fundraising activities including Name the Teddy, Guess the Number of Sweets in the Jar and a raffle supported by donations from over 15 generous companies. 

Lauren’s project showcased not only her event management capabilities but also the power of community engagement. 

Lauren said: “Seeing everyone come together to support such an important cause while competing in something they all genuinely enjoy was incredibly rewarding. The atmosphere on the day had a real sense of community and I’ve learnt so much about planning, leadership, and adapting in real time. This project has shown me how impactful events can be when people unite behind a shared passion and purpose. 

“I would like to thank the staff at TeamSport Go Karting Warrington James, Aidan, Georgia, Jenni, Matt, Mikey, Lucy, Cecil, Charlie, James, Dan, Aidan, Tom, Brad and Layla for staffing the event and volunteering their time.” 

Tim Brown, Lauren’s Supervisor and Acting Head of Chester Business School, added: “Lauren’s project is an outstanding example of experiential learning in action. She has demonstrated professionalism, creativity, and determination in delivering an event that achieved a remarkable fundraising total for Mind.  

“At Chester Business School, we place great value on students learning through real-world experience, as it develops the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills essential for their future careers. We are incredibly proud of Lauren’s achievement and the positive impact her work has had on the community.” 

Lauren’s fundraising event contributes vital support to Mind’s ongoing work in providing mental health resources, advocacy and services across the UK.