An evening of thrilling horse-racing and show-stopping fashion raises £54,000 in support of Weston Park Cancer Charity
Racegoers from across the region donned their finest purple racewear and headed to the annual Weston Park Cancer Charity Race evening.
More than 3,500 people attended the glamorous event at Doncaster Racecourse, with races sponsored by XPO Logistics; Weldricks Pharmacy; Ant Marketing; Pinders; Alan Wood Plumbing and Heating; Blue Line Taxis and Napoleons Casinos and Restaurants; who also donated raffle prizes and auction lots.
The annual event combined all the thrills of the races, with first class entertainment, including a performance from the We Can Survive Cancer Choir and a best-dressed in purple competition, which saw Beverley Brown take home a £100 Bawtry Retail Association voucher and bottle of Champagne, presented by Charity Patron, Dean Andrews.
As always, fundraising played an important part in the celebrations and this year more than £50,000 was raised in support of patients and their families living with, and beyond cancer across the region.
Weston Park Cancer Charity CEO, Samantha Dixon said:
“For the past four years, we’ve asked our supporters to ‘paint Town Moor purple’, which has seen flocks of racegoers donning their best ultraviolet racewear and heading to the Weston Park Cancer Charity Race Evening.
“What makes the evening even more special is that we offer complimentary tickets to those undergoing cancer treatment, alongside their family and friends. Seeing a person who has been struggling with the difficulties presented by a cancer diagnosis enjoy a well-deserved evening with those who have cared for them is very touching.
“As a charity, we have ambitious plans to help 47,000 people over the next five years, whose lives have been affected by cancer. But to do that we need to raise a lot of money.
“Raising £54,000 is an amazing achievement and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support. From Doncaster Racecourse and our sponsors to all those who bought a ticket or donated in any way at the races, every contribution (however big or small) has been a vital one – thank you.”
Some of the sport’s renowned riders, Shaun Levy and PJ McDonald showed their support in the run up to the event, and former international cricket umpire, Dickie Bird was among the guests at Doncaster Racecourse on the evening, alongside The Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Tony Downing and the Lady Mayoress, Mrs Val Downing.
Russell Smith, Executive Director at Doncaster Racecourse said: “We are delighted to have been working with Weston Park Cancer Charity for the past four years, and to watch the Charity Race Evening develop year on year.
“We are pleased that the platform is having such a fantastic impact for them, not only in terms of raising awareness, but also generating significant funds. We very much look forward to working with the Charity again in 2020.”
In addition to the top-class racing action, over 250 guests enjoyed corporate hospitality, whilst a small army of Weston Park Cancer Charity volunteers helped with fundraising activities throughout the concourse, including auctions, raffles and tombola’s and bucket collections.
George Forsyth, General Manager at Napoleons Casino & Restaurant, Sheffield said:
“On behalf of everyone at Napoleons, I’d like to say a huge thank you to the team at Weston Park Cancer Charity for hosting us once again at Doncaster Racecourse. We’re proud to be able to continue supporting the Charity year on year, and the Race Evening is always so fantastic both for us as a business, and for the charity, too.
“This year we sponsored the WPCC Handicap Stakes (Class 4) and took a group of colleagues and clients along with us for the day – and what a day it was. A big thank you once again to everyone involved at Weston Park Cancer Charity and Doncaster Racecourse for their wonderful hospitality, we’ll certainly be back next year.”
Money raised from the Race Evening will help to ensure that, as more people than ever before are set to face a cancer diagnosis, Weston Park Cancer Charity can be there to provide practical help to those in need, emotional support to those in despair and enhanced care for those who need it most.
Weston Park Cancer Centre is one of just four specialist cancer hospitals in England, and the only one in Yorkshire, and is home to the only radiotherapy department in South Yorkshire, which is the busiest radiotherapy department in the UK.
Weston Park Cancer Centre has an internationally renowned reputation in the field of oncology and research funded by Weston Park Cancer Charity provides access to breakthrough treatments unavailable on the NHS, and advances in the wider fight against cancer, helping to speed up access to new treatments for patients diagnosed with [but not limited to] breast, bone, skin, lung and prostate cancer,
Weston Park Cancer Charity is the only dedicated charity for the hospital and exists to create a better life for everyone living with and beyond cancer, both now and in the future.
