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Noted fundraiser and Ascot stalwart Vivien Wallis dies at the age of 90

Vivien Wallis: honoured for fundraising efforts
Vivien Wallis: honoured for fundraising efforts

Vivien Wallis, who was awarded an MBE for her fundraising efforts, including as co-chair of the Ascot charity day which raised in excess of £1 million, has died aged 90.

When Ascot scanned its records in 2010 Wallis was revealed as the course's longest serving Royal Enclosure badge holder. She was also an owner with Ted Smyth, Fulke Johnson Houghton, William Haggas and Marcus Tregoning.

Her son Stephen Wallis, group director of international and racing relations at the Jockey Club, said: "The big thing about her was her charity work with Nigel Clark, they raised over £1m from the Ascot charity days in a period when money was different to now.

"She was absolutely committed to raising funds for mainly racing charities but also other charities. The other big fundraising she did was in the 80s for the British Racing School."

She was widow to Colonel Tommy Wallis, who was managing director of Racecourse Holdings Trust for 20 years and Stephen Wallis added: "I wouldn’t want to forget the support she gave dad during the era when RHT expanded.

"After dad died she actually moved to Ascot and she was the only local who was allowed to walk her dogs on the racing surface. Gilly Gilford, who was head groundsman, used to love her doing it because her dogs found all the golf balls. Nobody else dared walk on the racing surface, and equally nobody stopped mum."

Vivien Wallis is survived by three children, Stephen, Nona and John. Her thanksgiving service is at All Saint's Church in Ascot on Tuesday, May 14 at 12pm. There is a request not to wear black and for any donations to be made to Racing Welfare.


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Matt ButlerDeputy news editor

Published on 6 May 2019inNews

Last updated 20:30, 6 May 2019

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