York Racecourse and Sky Bet team up to give Yorkshire-based good causes opportunity to win £20,000 donation in sweepstake style campaign

Remaining shortlisted entrants to also receive £1,000 donation

York Racecourse and Sky Bet (part of Flutter Entertainment) have once again teamed up to give Yorkshire-based charities, foundations and community groups the opportunity to receive a donation of up to £20,000 as part of this year’s Sky Bet Ebor Festival.

Inviting entries from local charities and community groups from across the county, the Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake will see 22 good causes shortlisted and matched with a runner from this year’s Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday 26^th August at York Racecourse.

With £20,000 up for grabs for the charity matched with the winner, the shortlisted causes will learn of their contender in the live TV draw taking place on Thursday 24^th August.

Not only will the charity, foundation or community group matched to the horse that wins benefit, but 2^nd and 3^rd place will also receive £5,000 and £2,000 respectively, with all remaining shortlisted entrants also given a £1,000 donation to put towards their project / initiative.

To further support their funding efforts, each shortlisted good cause will also receive two tickets to the opening day of a 2024 race weekend at York Racecourse, to use as a raffle prize, or gift to one of their valued members or volunteers.

Running until Friday 28^th July, applicants simply need to fill in an online form to enter, providing background on the work they do in the community, and a specific project or activity they’d use the money for, if their horse was to win.

As a condition, they will also need to nominate a ‘spokesperson’ who can speak on their behalf on the race day.

Last year’s race saw The Sporting Memories Foundation ‘rein’ victorious, taking home £20,000 to support their ongoing efforts.

Susie Brindley, Partnerships Director (Charities) at Sporting Memories, said: “The Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake provided Sporting Memories with an incredible opportunity to raise awareness of our work across Yorkshire through being part of the Ebor race, which in return made for an extraordinary moment in our history.

“Being paired with Trawlerman, ridden by the legendary Frankie Dettori, completed a memorable few days for us and the funding we secured thanks to the duo’s race win has meant we have been able to support and enhance our activity with our clubs all across Yorkshire, so that we can provide greater support to our members with their physical and mental well-being.

“We would strongly encourage local charities to apply for the Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake as it not only provides a unique opportunity to highlight charitable efforts across Yorkshire to a regional and national audience, but you could also win funding to strengthen your work to change people’s lives.”

James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at York Racecourse, commented: “The Sky Bet Ebor Festival is always a highlight in our racing calendar, not only given that the Sky Bet Ebor feature race remains Britain’s richest flat handicap, but also given that it allows us to connect with and shine a light on incredible causes across Yorkshire.

“We look forward to reading about all the incredible work that is going on across the county and then welcoming those from the shortlist to the racecourse to enjoy their day alongside over 25,000 racegoers, as they all cheer on their respective horses.”

Michael Shinners, at Sky Betting & Gaming, added: “Last year was an incredible success, and it’s great to be working with York Racecourse again this year on the Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake. Not only does the competition allow us to donate money towards local and worthwhile causes, but also provide them with a platform to showcase the amazing work that they do. Working with communities to do more sits at the heart of Flutter’s ‘Positive Impact Plan’, so we’re proud to be driving positive change in our local area in a way that is both engaging and fun.”

To enter, fill out the entry form here. 

So that official sponsors Sky Bet can comply with their obligation to prevent the promotion of advertising to children, nominations for organisations or projects aimed exclusively at individuals aged under 18 will not be accepted.

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