JOCKEYS AND RACEGOERS GET TOGETHER IN FESTIVAL SUPPORT FOR FOUNDATION
The Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival has got off to a flying start with a week of racing, entertainment and fundraising activity supporting the Matt Hampson Foundation.
Sponsored by Sky Bet, the Festival involves race meetings at eight Yorkshire courses over eight days up to next Saturday (27th July).
The Festival brings the Yorkshire courses together to showcase and celebrate racing in the region, with fundraising for the Matt Hampson Foundation including an expert tipster competition with Sky Bet and Sporting Life, a football skills test for jockeys, festival raffle and stable staff race as well as bucket collections.
The Matt Hampson Foundation, which supports and inspires young people seriously injured through sport, has been selected as its charity partner thanks to links with Grand National-winning jockey Graham Lee who has teamed up with the Foundation as part of his rehabilitation following injury in 2023.
In announcing the partnership, Graham’s wife, Becky, said: “Graham visits the Matt Hampson Foundation for a two-week block once a month. The physio he is receiving is incredible, they get everything out of him, the whole team are very special.
“Being charity partner at the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival is a great way to recognise them and give something back.”
Each day of the Festival features a Sky Bet Matt Hampson Foundation race, beginning with last Friday’s opener at Pontefract. Following the weekend meetings at Ripon, Doncaster and Redcar, there is a full week of events to follow up to York’s Saturday meeting.
At the media launch event, jockey Joanna Mason explained how much it means to colleagues to support Graham Lee and his family, saying: “I know I speak for all the jockeys when I say how much we welcome the racing community rallying round Graham and his family, and having the Go Racing In Yorkshire Festival supporting this fantastic charity is another brilliant and high-profile example.”
Matt Hampson OBE said: “It’s been a pleasure to be able to offer support to Graham and his family, and the progress he’s making in his recovery is fantastic to witness.
“We’re thrilled to have been chosen as official charity partner this summer as support like this is essential to the running of the Foundation and enables us to help more and more people who are recovering from life-changing injury.”
Go Racing in Yorkshire Festival calendar this week
Monday 22 July: Beverley (evening)
Wednesday 24 July: Catterick Family Fun Day
Thursday 25 July: Doncaster
Friday 26 July: Thirsk Family Fun Day
Friday 26 July: York (evening), Kaiser Chiefs performing after racing
Saturday 27 July: York, S Club performing after racing
For more information on the Summer Festival, click here
