THE Cheltenham Festival is throwing its weight behind the Ukraine fundraising appeal.
A race on the opening afternoon of the four-day bonanza is to be renamed ‘The Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Chase.’
Crowds are urged to get behind the appeal
The Jockey Club will be making its own donation and hope the near 250,000 punters that visit over the week will lend their support.
The National Hunt Chase is the last race on Day 1 and will now carry the name of the Red Cross appeal.
Collection buckets will be spread around the course with appeals made over the tannoy.
Money will be raised to help raise funds for necessities including food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter. The Ukrainian and international arms of the Red Cross are delivering this support on the ground in the Eastern European country.
Cheltenham chief Ian Renton said: “The Festival is a major social highlight for a very large number of the racegoers in attendance, probably even more so this year given the 2021 Festival was held behind closed doors.
“However, this year’s event is obviously taking place against the backdrop of major conflict in Ukraine.
“Given that coverage of The Festival extends far beyond the coverage racing receives on a day to day basis, we are keen to hand as much exposure to the invaluable work undertaken by humanitarian charities in these most desperate times.
“Using a race title to promote these humanitarian efforts seemed a very appropriate act for us to undertake.
Over a million people have already fled Ukraine over their western borders
“The Jockey Club is supporting the British Red Cross’s appeal by making a donation and we will also be communicating on our big screens, in racecards and over our PA systems to invite racegoers at all of our venues to make a donation themselves, should they wish, and explain how they can do so.
“Racing has a tremendous record when it comes to fundraising and coming together in times when need is most keenly felt and we are aiming to help the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal as much as possible over the four days of The Festival.”
