MPs and Lords compete to be best tossers in annual Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race

MPs will be competing against teams of Lords and political journalists for the much-coveted Race Magnificent Tin Cup, to raise awareness of Rehab and its work with disabled and marginalised people.

The 2015 pancake race, sponsored by Harris Fowler, takes place on Shrove Tuesday, 17 February, at Victoria Tower Gardens in Westminster and is a huge draw for tourists and Londoners alike.

Peter Brammall, Rehab's chief operations officer in England and Wales, said: “The race has fast become one of London's annual must-see events featuring prominently in tourist what's on guides.

“Political and media foes are required to put their traditional allegiances to one side in coming together as teams of MPs, Lords and media in a spirit of peace, love and harmony, for a greater cause. With Shrove Tuesday coming in mid-February this year, it is sure that whichever team is best equipped for potentially frosty weather is likely to bring home the race's Magnificent Tin Cup.”

He added: “Of course, behind the fun and frolics, the event has a very serious side. It helps to raise much-needed awareness among key policy-makers and media of the need to support disabled and marginalised people.

“Rehab works to provide a range of vital services to this group, including people with intellectual, sensory and physical disabilities, people with brain injuries and people experiencing mental health issues, in enabling their dreams to come true. I would urge people to come along to what really is a not-to-be-missed event and to lend their support. May the best flippers win!”

The event has been going for 17 years in the shadow of Big Ben. The 2012 race had to be re-run after allegations of cheating prompted the race scrutineer and TV news anchor Natasha Kaplinsky to order the teams to line up again.

The 2014 race was completed in a time of three minutes and 56 seconds.

The Rehab Group supports disabled and marginalised people in the United Kingdom through its high-quality education, training, health and social care and employment services, in enabling them to fulfil personal goals and to live more independent lives, as well as in pursuing further education or finding a job.

For more information on the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race go to www.parliamentarypancakerace.co.uk/