Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trust raises more than £4m
The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust — set up by “the Voice of Racing” has now raised well over £4m for charities.
Following a successful annual award lunch in November 2014, when over £200,000 was raised at auction, the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust has now donated £50,000 to each of the six welfare concerns it has supported since its inception 19 years ago.
The trust’s beneficiaries — Blue Cross, The Brooke, Compassion in World Farming, Racing Welfare, The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre and World Horse Welfare — have now shared equally over £4 million.
A ceremonial cheque will be presented to representatives of the charities at Ascot racecourse on Saturday 9 May.
For more information visit: www.thevoiceofracing.com
Ball in aid of air ambulances
Students at Moulton College are holding a 1920s themed vintage Hollywood ball on 28 February in aid of the Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance.
The ball is being organised by third year equine science students as part of their degree course.
The students have set up a company Prestige Equine Events to run the ball being, held in The Barn at Moulton College in Northamptonshire.
Tickets cost £25 to include drinks on arrival, canapés and dancing till 1pm.
“We are looking for as many people as possible to attend so that we can raise lots of money for our chosen charity,” said Philippa Richardson, one of the organisers.
For tickets email: moultoncollege1920sball@outlook.com
The Brooke launches ‘spring clean’ fundraiser
The Brooke is appealing to H&H readers to help raise vital funds for working horses abroad by having a spring clean.
The “Brooke-a-Brac” campaign, to be launched on 1 March, is asking people to sell unwanted items online or at a fair and donate the proceeds to the charity.
The charity’s community team will send participants a fundraising pack full of ideas on how to get started. Stallholders are given bunting, tablecloths, leaflets and balloons to brighten up their stands.
“The funds you raise could make a huge difference to the 15,000 horses and donkeys at the Thulai-Hathras Equine Fair in India this August, where Brooke vets are needed to provide emergency treatment to injured and sick animals, plus advice to animal owners. Fairs like these are the charity’s biggest chance to help working animals,” said Jamie Whear from The Brooke.
To request a free pack tel: 020 7470 9393 or email: community@thebrooke.org
Raceday in aid of air ambulances
Stratford-on-Avon racecourse is hosting a Cheltenham Festival preview raceday to raise funds for the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA).
The raceday is on 9 March, the anniversary of WNAA’s life-saving rescue of jockey Jason Maguire.
After he was rescued in March 2014, Jason became a patron for WNAA, which has been chosen as Stratford racecourse’s 2015 charity of the year.
There are seven races at the raceday, beginning at 2.10pm.
Before the racing there is a two-course lunch in the Paddock Pavilion, followed by afternoon team.
Tables for 10 including preview package and race sponsorship cost £1,850. The tables with just the preview package are available at £650 and individual tickets are on sale at £65.
Guests will be given their Cheltenham tips from a panel including Jason Maguire, Dan Skelton and Niall Hannity. The preview will take place after the last race.
For more information and to book tickets contact Tracy Grunwell tel 07825 634103 or email: tracey@wnaa.co.uk
Racing Welfare is ROA charity of the year
Racing Welfare is the 2015 charity partner for the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA).
The charity will become the focus of the ROA’s annual fundraising efforts, receive all the proceeds from horseracing awards in December and have its work promoted amongst racehorse owners.
From its headquarters in Newmarket, Racing Welfare supports all staff in British racing from recruitment to retirement.
The Racing Welfare’s Housing Association, Racing Homes has over 160 residential units ranging from small flats to family houses for people who have retired after racing.
“We are extremely grateful to have been selected by the ROA as their partner charity and we are all looking forward to working with the organisation over the next year,” said Lesley Graham, chief executive of Racing Welfare.
Last year the ROA raised £50,000 for the Retraining of Racehorses, the charity for horses who have retired from racing.
For more information visit www.racehorseowners.net/en/news/partner-charity-2015/
Charity ride to South Africa
A dozen riders set for South Africa on 25 January to take part in the Waterberg charity ride.
The 200km ride has been organised by Sophie Neville, an experienced horse safari leader.
The route around a remote area of rural South Africa has been planned by Laura Dowinton of Horizon Horseback, who is providing the horses and back-up team.
“We are 10 ladies — five with a background in eventing who are all pretty fit and five of us who are rather creaky. It’s going to be quite an adventure as no one has taken our route before,” Mrs Neville told H&H.
The riders had to raise a minimum of £1,000 for the charity to take part.
“We hope the ride will raise £15,000-£20,000 for the Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS),” said Mrs Neville.
The charity was set up in the UK in 2006 to combat the pandemic HIV/AIDS in a corner of rural South Africa.
For more information visit www.waterbergwelfaresociety.org.
