MORE THAN 100 OF RACING’S PEOPLE TO SCALE THE YORKSHIRE THREE PEAKS THIS WEEKEND
More than 100 people from across the racing industry are coming together this Saturday (8th July) to fundraise for Racing Welfare. The determined supporters will all be hiking 25 miles and climbing over 1,500 metres as they tackle Yorkshire’s famous three peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside in just 12 hours.
Racing Welfare’s Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which is sponsored by the Tote and Tattersalls, has attracted participants from all corners of the sport. With racing yards such as Ben Pauling Racing fielding a large team, as well as representatives from the media including ITV Racing’s Adele Mulrennan and Sky Sports Racing’s Josh Apiafi, who is taking on the challenge with his family.
Josh said: “Racing and Racing Welfare have been a part of my life since I left school at the age of 16 and went to work for Martin Pipe. I’m giving my bit back by doing this challenge.
“I’m not sure the family have completely forgiven me for signing them all up, but in all seriousness, we’ve been training hard and are looking forward to it. All the people that have supported our fundraising have been brilliant and have helped us raise lots of money for Racing Welfare.”
Not only does this event provide a wonderful opportunity to bring together a large number of like-minded people, but it also serves as the charity’s flagship fundraiser for the year, raising much-needed funds that will go towards providing continued life-changing support for everyone that works in the sport. Jade is a former travelling head person and worked in racing for several years before taking a break from the industry, to which she hopes to return in the future. Jade continues to support Racing Welfare, and will be climbing the three peaks this weekend, she said: “I had a lot of help from Racing Welfare over the years when I had hip surgery and fractured my back.
“[My welfare officer] was really helpful and always checking in on me. Not only that, but I’ve seen a lot of people I’ve worked with being helped by Racing Welfare and the impact that had on their lives.
“I’ve always been keen to give back and have volunteered for Racing Welfare a couple of times already. I’m a bit nervous ahead of the challenge this weekend, but I know it will feel amazing once I’ve done it!”
Merely a week on from climbing Scafell Pike with the Cheltenham team for their Dawn Runs challenge, Racing Welfare’s chief executive Dawn Goodfellow will be lacing up her walking boots once more to join the other 100 challengers this weekend.
“As a charity that receives no government funding, we are relying on our supporters and fundraisers more than ever. Without their sterling efforts we’d struggle to continue to provide the vast range of services that we currently do for racing’s people – and we know those services change people’s lives.
“To have 100 people taking on this challenge and showing that unified support is truly humbling. I’m in no doubt of the scale of the challenge that faces me this weekend, but I’m confident the strength of support and camaraderie of this wonderful group of people will carry me through a gruelling twelve hours!”
Anyone that would like to support Racing Welfare’s Three Peaks Challenge should text PEAKS and their donation amount eg. PEAKS10, PEAKS20, PEAKS30 to donate £10, £20 or £30 respectively. Alternatively, donations can be submitted online here: https://racingwelfare.enthuse.com/pf/team-racing-welfare.