Racing Welfare runners set to line up for the Great North Run 2018
Racing Welfare is delighted to have three very special individuals taking on the Simply Health Great North Run on Sunday 9th September. The event will see 57,000 competitors cross the start line of the 13.1 mile course around Newcastle, raising millions of pounds for charity in the process.
The Simply Health Great North Run is one of the greatest footraces in the world and we are very happy to have three runners fundraising for Racing Welfare this year. Those taking on the challenge this year are Rachel Cawley, Joe Jefferson and James Ambrose.
Rachel Cawley
First up is Rachel Cawley, who worked for Racing Welfare as Communications Manager until earlier this year.
Speaking on her decision to run, Rachel said “I worked for Racing Welfare for 3.5 years and know, first-hand, how vital the charity’s services are for racing’s family. Before I left I foolishly agreed to run the Great North Run to fundraise!
I’ve ridden out in Newmarket and Epsom for the past 10 years and while I’ve loved (nearly) every second, the fact remains it is a tough job with the ever present danger of super fit and often highly strung horses to exercise and care for.
Now I have left the industry, moved back to the city and retired from riding out, I’ve had to dust off my trainers, don my lucky unicorn socks and start running again. It has been a great way to fill in the void from 6am-8am in the morning now that I’m not out on the gallops.
I didn’t fancy my chances of doing a marathon all in one go, but I wanted to a real challenge to take on, so I’m doing two half marathons with a month in-between to recover – I’ll be in action at the Manchester Half too!”
Show your support by donating to Rachel’s page here.
Joe Jefferson and James Ambrose
Our other two flag bearers, Joe Jefferson and James Ambrose, will be running as a pair, and are doing so not only to fundraise for Racing Welfare, but to celebrate the memory of the late Malcom Jefferson, who trained in Yorkshire and was Joe’s Dad and James’ father-in-law.
Talking about why he and Joe chose to be part of the Great North Run this year, James said, “Malcolm was a much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to a close-knit extended family and broad friendship group. He was also a popular and successful northern racehorse trainer who had dedicated over fifty years of his life to the care and development of thoroughbreds, including thirty-seven years of success at his home in Norton at Newstead Cottage Stables.
Malcolm gave support unconditionally to those around him – family, friends and other professional acquaintances. As a mark of his passing, and to celebrate the warmth of a simply great bloke, Joe and I are running the Great North Run together; with a smile on our faces and a twinkle in our eyes like Malcolm himself (and possibly shed a few tears in the process!).
James Ambrose
As we all know, cancer is a dreadful, ravaging disease. Sadly, after what seemed like a relatively short but bold fight, in February of this year, Malcolm lost his battle and passed away peacefully at home with Sue, Clare, Rachel, Ruth and Joe at his bedside.
In what we feel is a fitting tribute to a man who was both a loyal supporter of his own staff and those within the industry generally, we will be fundraising for Racing Welfare; an organisation that supports the workforce of the British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industry.
We’d be delighted if you would join us in spirit, share a thought for a wonderful man and help to support those working in the industry he loved above all else, by donating to Racing Welfare through our page.
I feel this is the most fitting way to honour Malcolm and the industry of which he was so proud.
You can donate to Joe and James’ fundraising page here.