Lester Piggott statue at Peter O'Sullevan award lunch as trust passes £10m mark

The latest Sir Peter O'Sullevan award lunch will auction a Lester Piggott statue, honour Brough Scott and raise further valuable funds for the legendary broadcaster's trust, whose organisers have revealed has now distributed more than £10 million to good causes.

The event, to be held in London on November 21, is a key fundraiser for The Sir Peter O'Sullevan Charitable Trust, which for 22 years has backed six of the late BBC stalwart's favourite organisations, including Racing Welfare, World Horse Welfare and Blue Cross.

Nigel Payne, administrator of the trust, said: "Since the inception of the trust in 1997, we have now distributed just over £10 million to over 100 different good causes.

"It's so rewarding to give money to people who really need it. We now do a lot of work with charities working with disabled people and those that use horses to help people in therapeutic ways.

"We were also the original supporter of The Bridge of Hope, which tries to help people who have suffered a major upheaval in their life."

The first of the Lester Piggott bronzes was unveiled by the Queen at Epsom on Derby dayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Racing Post joint-founder Brough Scott will this year be presented with O'Sullevan's annual award in recognition of his charity work and long career in journalism, writing and broadcasting. Scott will receive the award at the lunch, during which one of nine Piggott statues, crafted by Willie Newton and commissioned by David and Christopher St George, is set to be auctioned.

Payne added: "We're very lucky to have been given one of the Lester Piggott bronzes for our auction. As everyone knows, Peter and Lester were close friends and we'll be looking to make at least £50,000 from the statue."

All those who booked tables for last year's lunch have already done so again for this year, ensuring the function will once more be sold out with around 485 people in attendance.

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