An amazing day of sport and fundraising saw nearly £500K raised for for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The annual Macmillan Charity Raceday at York Racecourse yesterday (Saturday) was deemed an outstanding success – with contributions from race day sponsors, a charity horse race and skydive, a silent auction, generous donors, supporters and the course itself.
This year marked the 51st staging of the partnership between Macmillan and York Racecourse and marked a welcome return to a full capacity crowd following the pandemic.
More than 18,000 racegoers enjoyed an action-packed afternoon which included the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ charity race won by Sam Brown. Sam, riding in memory of her grandad, raced to victory riding Shake A Leg, a horse trained by her mum Julie Camacho.
“It feels amazing to win,” said Sam, who has individually raised over £23,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“I’m feeling so emotional and having my family and friends supporting me has meant the absolute world, I want to thank everyone for their generosity and support.”
Ten fearless riders
The ten fearless riders who opened the day of racing have collectively raised £105,000 for Macmillan.
The jockeys were Michael Andrews, George Atkinson, Bella Brown, Samantha Brown, Lucy Horan, Kerry Humphries, Bethany Johnson, Wendy Normile, Issy Saxby and Carolyn Woods.
Unfortunately, one rider, Morgan Faye Prescott, was injured while training for the challenge and was unable to ride in the race.
So she completed the nine furlongs on her crutches before racing began, completing the challenge in a unique style.
A group of 12 thrill-seekers took part in the Macmillan ‘Jump of Their Lives’ skydive in April and enjoyed hospitality at York Racecourse as a thank you for raising £30,000 for Macmillan.
The day was closed by the Macmillan silent auction, with generous supporters bidding on 40 lots raising £70,000, as well as an army of Macmillan volunteers bucket collecting for people living with cancer across Yorkshire.
York Racecourse chief executive William Derby said:
The fabulous afternoon of racing was coupled with an outstanding show of generosity for a worthwhile cause. We are so grateful to so many people in horse racing and on the racecourse in helping to raise such an incredible figure.
York Racecourse are very proud to have played a part in reaching a figure approaching £500,000 for the valuable work that Macmillan does for all those living with cancer.
Our partnership with the charity stretches over 50 years during which time an incredible £9.5 million has been raised.
Claire Rowney is Macmillan’s executive director of fundraising, marketing, and innovation. She said:
“On behalf of all our Macmillan nurses, doctors, support workers and cancer experts, I wanted to say a massive thank-you to everyone who made this year’s Macmillan Charity Raceday such a success.
Thrill seekers can apply to take part in the Macmillan ‘Jump of their Lives’ 2023, a tandem skydive over the beautiful Yorkshire countryside next April. Visit the York Racecourse website for more details.
Anyone in need of cancer support can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, which is open seven days a week, 8am-8pm, or visit Macmillan’s online community.