Racing Welfare's Work in Yorkshire

A look at Racing Welfare's work in Yorkshire. Turf Talk looks at the work of Racing Welfare in Yorkshire and profiles their top team. By Steve Carroll. It is remarkable work – from the “cradle to the grave” as fundraising and communications executive Richard Negus puts it.

You might have heard of Racing Welfare, the charity which helped galvanise people following the tragic deaths of apprentice jockeys Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson in a Norton flats fire in September.

But from their office in Commercial Street, Norton, and from their Middleham base, the charity, which gets no state funding and very little cash from racing’s authorities, does so much more for the North Yorkshire racing community.

Despite relying almost entirely on donations – from individuals, trusts and funds, businesses and legacies – the help they provide can literally save lives.

Just this week the charity started a mass ring-round of beneficiaries to check they were okay as the snow and ice continued to wreak havoc in North Yorkshire and around the country.

Their offers of help and support in North Yorkshire are everywhere. From a housing scheme helping young people entering the industry, to coffee mornings and get-togethers for the older generation, Racing Welfare are there from beginning to end.

Negus is extremely proud of the entire Racing Welfare Yorkshire team.

“2009 was a busy year for Racing Welfare – the support that we have received from people in Yorkshire has been amazing,” he said. “The Malton fire was horrible and now it is up to us as a charity to ensure the money raised by the Malton Fire Disaster Appeal is spent on enduring projects that benefit as many people in the North as possible. Our team in the North have a challenging role, racing yards are spread over a large geographical area, with Yorkshire alone seeing more than 6,000 full-time racing employees.

“In 2009, we helped more than 300 individuals in the North of England and Scotland with a wide range of problems and, in 2010, the charity will be spending more than £400,000 on projects within the region.

“Racing as an industry is one of the last large-scale rural employers and with a sizeable workforce comes a variety of welfare issues. Many people working in the racing and thoroughbred breeding industry will never need our help, but for those who do, our welfare officers are sometimes quite literally lifesavers.”

The charity’s phone hotline, 0800 630 0443, is manned 24 hours and welfare officers are immediately called out to emergency cases.

Racing Welfare always need donations. To help, contact the regional offices or write to the Newmarket HQ at Racing Welfare, Robin McAlpine House, Park Lane, Newmarket, CB8 8QD. You can phone them on 01638 560763.

Paul Lodge

WHEN the Norton flats fire claimed the lives of young apprentice jockeys Jamie Kyne and Jan Wilson last September, Paul Lodge’s Racing Welfare role took on a new dimension.

Not only was there the profound sorrow over a tragedy which shocked an entire community, but there was also the practical considerations of finding new accommodation for those who had lost their homes in Buckrose Court.

Lodge, along with colleague Janet Allison, have been at the forefront of the Malton Fire Disaster Appeal which, to date, has raised more than £110,000.

While that can never assuage the grief shared by everyone who knew 18-year-old Jamie and 19-year-old Jan, it will help a new project aimed at benefiting as many people as possible in the racing community.

For Lodge, who has worked for Racing Welfare for three years – having spent more than 20 years serving in the Army, it has been a case of helping those affected get as much access to help as possible.

“I found that I was not only helping the people who had escaped from the fire with immediate issues such as loss of home, possessions and equipment but also the parents of those affected,” he said.

“It has been a case of assessing need and the levels of grief, so that Racing Welfare can provide direct help or guide individuals to groups or organisations who will provide the necessary expert counselling.”

You can still donate to the Malton Fire Disaster Appeal. Cheques should be made payable to Racing Welfare and can be sent to the office at 5B Commercial Street, Norton, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9HX. For more information, phone 01653 695052.

Amanda Donkin

HELPING young people get the best possible start in the racing industry is Amanda Donkin’s motivation.

She works closely with staff at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster assessing the needs of the next generation of youngsters who are finishing their foundation courses. It’s an exciting time for Donkin, who has worked for Racing Welfare for three years and is based in Middleham.

The charity has bought a new property in the town which will not only serve as the welfare office, and central hub for the region, but will also have four flats that will be home to young people entering the industry.

The aim is to provide “safe, affordable housing” for those who are embarking on their careers and Donkin, who has racing in her veins, is enthusiastic.

“The charity already has similar properties in Newmarket and Lambourn which have proved to be a great success,” she said.

“Many young people entering the racing industry will have concerns and worries about the transition from home life to living away and working in such a demanding and physical job.

“The accommodation enables us to help even more people in the area."

For more information on Racing Welfare in Middleham, or to make a donation, write to Racing Welfare, The Town Hall, Middleham, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4NR. Alternatively, phone 01969 624123.

Janet Allison

ON the ninth of each month, it’s either the Union Inn or the Derwent Arms.

Janet Allison, who has worked for Racing Welfare for more than 25 years, is the host for the Malton pubs’ monthly coffee morning for retired racing people.

Allison’s work is highly regarded – and these events are about more than just a cup of java.

They give the older generation of stable staff a chance to chat about old times and past friends – both two and four-legged. Allison reckons the sessions are a lifeline.

“We see around 20 people at our coffee mornings each month,” she said. “It lessens feelings of isolation for them and enables me to make sure that our beneficiaries are feeling okay.

“We can talk about any problems they may have in an informal setting. These folk are very proud and sometimes directly asking us for help with bills, benefits or medical problems in an office location makes these horsemen and women of the old school feel uncomfortable. My job is all about communication and, believe me, some of our beneficiaries never stop talking.”