Twelve amateur riders who have been chosen to race at York Racecourse for charity have raised an eyewatering total of £41,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in their fundraising efforts.

The riders taking part in the Ernest Cooper & Macmillan Ride of Their Lives in June have each pledged to raise at least £3,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and can expect to race in front of more than 25,000 people on the day.

The Macmillan Charity Raceday at York Racecourse is the oldest running charity raceday in the country and 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the partnership. 

To mark this milestone all proceeds from the raceday will be committed to Macmillan’s services in Yorkshire, providing emotional, financial, medical and practical support to the growing number of people living with cancer across the region.

SJ Barker, runs the Ryedale and Scarborough and Whitby Mumbler parenting websites, she joins six other amateur riders from across York and Ryedale.
 
Individually SJ has raised a staggering £6,700 in her fundraising efforts for Macmillan, she said:

“ Every year I run the Ryedale and Scarborough and Whitby Mumbler Awards, this year I will be donating 100% of the award sponsorship to Macmillan.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of local businesses and can’t thank them enough for helping me towards my fundraising goal.
 
“It’s given me a massive boost to have Yorkshire businesses like Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors, Cundalls and Birdseye backing me. 

“I also want to thank everyone who attended the Mumbler Nearly New Sale in Norton recently, again 100% of the profits went to Macmillan. 

“Cancer can affect anyone at any time and I, like many others have not been untouched by cancer and feel continually motivated by the great work of Macmillan.”

Jamie Davenport, is the Macmillan Fundraising Manager, he said:

“Our amateur twelve riders were selected in January and should be so proud they’ve reached this eye watering fundraising total in less than three months.

“£41,000 would fund a Macmillan bus for a month. The Macmillan buses, known as the Mobile and Information Support Service, offer free face to face support and information in local communities across Yorkshire.

“Life is never the same after a cancer diagnosis and this money will ensure we can be there for more people affected by cancer across Yorkshire.”

The Ernest Cooper Macmillan Ride of Their Lives will be the last race of the day on Saturday 13 June.

You can support the Ride of Their Lives jockeys and raise money for people affected by cancer across Yorkshire by attending.