At The Races (“ATR”), in partnership with Racing Post and The Irish Field, have announced the launch of the inaugural ‘Voice Of Racing’ project, a fundraising initiative which will allow those who love horseracing to give something back to three of the sport’s most important charities – The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and the UK and Irish Injured Jockeys Funds.
‘Voice Of Racing’ is a clear reference to Peter himself but also an invitation to the sport to come together and put something back for those participants, human and equine, who need it most.
ATR, Racing Post and The Irish Field will raise funds and support the efforts of others across the sport, from now until midnight on November 23rd, the date of the annual Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust Award lunch. Proceeds will be split 50% to the Trust and 25% to each of the UK and Irish Injured Jockeys Funds.
The focal point of the project will be the inaugural Voice Of Racing Day taking place on Friday 30th June. Cartmel, Doncaster and Great Yarmouth host fixtures in the afternoon followed in the evening by Chester, Newcastle, Newmarket and the Curragh.
At The Races, broadcasting live from four of the racecourses, will showcase the beneficiary charities through a series of features, interviews and special coverage across the day. Viewers, online users and social media followers will be encouraged to pledge donations. Viewers can expect a lot of fun, celebrity appearances and an online auction, all designed to raise the profile of the chosen charities as well as much needed funds.
Donations can be made online through the Just Giving website from today at justgiving.com/voiceofracing.
UK donors can also donate by texting VORD99 followed by the amount they wish to donate to 70070 (for example, to donate £10 just text “VORD99 £10”). Donations can be made up to midnight on the 23rd November.
Matthew Imi, CEO of At The Races, said: “The Voice Of Racing aims to bring together all participants within our sport to raise valuable funds for those within it who need our help most. At ATR, all of our fundraising initiatives this year will be focused on supporting Voice of Racing and whilst we will start doing so immediately we are also looking forward to the inaugural Voice Of Racing Day on June 30th. This will not only be an opportunity to showcase the amazing work these charities do but will also be a lot of fun at the same time. We are delighted to be working side by side with Racing Post and The Irish Field both of whom are long standing friends of ours and of the charities we are all supporting. We would be hugely grateful if all fans of horseracing could at some point try and donate something, regardless of the amount, in recognition of the wonderful work these three charities do.”
Nigel Payne, Administrator of the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, said: “Our Trustees are thrilled to support what appears to be a unique and innovative fundraising initiative. We are also pleased to work jointly with the UK and Irish Injured Jockey Funds. One of our current projects is to assist the IJF with the financing of the new Peter O’Sullevan House in Newmarket, a sequel to Oaksey and Jack Berry Houses. Peter would love the ‘Voice of Racing’ project and would have enjoyed playing an active part in its success.”
Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund, said: “This is a great initiative and we are delighted to be one of the charities benefiting. It is hugely important for us to be able to raise awareness of the work we do day-to-day and the Voice of Racing project will help us further to achieve this.”
Michael Higgins, General Manager of the Irish Injured Jockeys, said: “Irish Injured Jockeys are excited to be a beneficiary of the Voice Of Racing project and look forward to combining with The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and the Injured Jockeys Fund to ensure its success. It presents all three charities with a fantastic opportunity to show what we do to the racing and wider community.”
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