Three fearless members of the York Racecourse team will take to the skies supporting their charity partner Macmillan Cancer Support. York Racecourse colleagues Maiti Stirling, Louise Daly and Anthea Morshead will take part in a tandem skydive next month at Bridlington with the aim of raising thousands for people living with cancer.

The Macmillan ‘Jump of Their Lives’ Skydive, postponed for two years because of the pandemic, is one of many fundraising activities York Racecourse have planned across the year, including their flagship Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday 11 June and the prestigious charity horse race the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ 2022. This partnership, which started over 50 years ago, has raised over £9 million to support people living with cancer. 

Maiti Stirling, has worked as the Marketing and Sponsorship Executive at York Racecourse for three years, she said:

“I’m a secret adrenaline junkie having previously competed in a charity boxing bout. I like the fact that people are shocked when I tell them I’m doing a skydive for Macmillan, it’s not what they’d expect.

“I’m so excited for the skydive, it’s been postponed for two years and I can’t wait to soar over the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and East Coast.

“I’ve admired the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ jockeys for many years and was inspired to do my own fundraising challenge. We all know people affected by cancer and my family are no different, my grandpa died of cancer, my mum and two aunties battled the disease, I know how vital Macmillan support can be at an awful time in people’s lives.

“My friends and family are very supportive, my mum isn’t too happy about the skydive, but she knows it’s for a good cause.”

Joining Maiti is Louise Daly, Commercial Manager and Anthea Morshead, Racing Manager and Raceday Clerk of the Course, as well as 13 other fearless sky divers, collectively they have raised over £13,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Anthea Morshead, has worked at York Racecourse for 12 years and will be a familiar face to many racegoers, she said:

“I’ve helped to organise the Macmillan ‘Ride of Their Lives’ race since it started, and I’ve been inspired by the fantastic fundraising efforts of the jockeys, racecourse and racegoers over the years.

“I took part in a tandem skydive over 20 years ago, it’ll be interesting to see if I’ve still got the nerve.

“I don't think there is anyone whose family is untouched by cancer, and I wanted to do my bit to help raise funds and help ensure Macmillan can continue with their amazing work.

“The pandemic has made life even harder for those suffering from cancer, and Macmillan's work is even more vital now than ever.''

Louise Daly, Commercial Manager at York Racecourse, said:

“Every year I set myself a fundraising target and embark on various activities from marathon running to litter picking.

“This challenge is slightly more adventurous of course but I couldn’t be more excited, and I feel incredibly honoured to be doing this on behalf of Macmillan.

“The support I have witnessed from people who have sponsored me has blown me away, and I guess that is testament to the fantastic work Macmillan does as so many of us are so sadly affected by cancer.”

William Derby, Chief Executive at York Racecourse, said:

“I have total admiration for our sky divers, we wish them the best of luck and hope they’ll enjoy every minute of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

“York Racecourse are incredibly proud of our long running partnership with Macmillan. Through tremendous support from individuals and organisations we raised a remarkable £300,000 in 2021.

“We are very much looking forward to raising vital money for people living with cancer with a fabulous year of fundraising ahead us, including Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday 11 June which is the biggest charity raceday in British racing and traditionally Macmillan’s biggest single fundraising event.”

As well as enjoying breath-taking views of Yorkshire, those taking part in Jump of Their Lives will also receive a VIP invitation from York Racecourse to join them and 25,000 racegoers at the Macmillan Charity Raceday’s 50th anniversary in June.

The Macmillan Charity Raceday is the oldest running charity raceday in the country, 2022 marks over 50 years of Macmillan and York Racecourse’s partnership, in which time over £9 million has been raised for people living with cancer. The day of first-class racing will also include the amateur horse race Macmillan’s ‘Ride of Their Lives’, which will be the first race of the day on Saturday 11 June 2022. 

Racing fans can support this fabulous day of fundraising just by attending.

You can support the fearless fundraisers by donating to their JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/jumpoftheirlives2022