Racing personalities raise £100k for Racing Welfare in 24-hour cycle challenge

The racing world came together to raise more than £100,000 for Racing Welfare during a gruelling 24-hour cycling challenge.

Between midday last Saturday and midday on Sunday, riders completed 30km loops from Cheltenham racecourse in 20 teams, with at least two members riding at any one time.

The initiative surpassed its original fundraising goal of £60,000 with help from sponsors including Unibet, Racehorse Lotto, the Jockey Club and Tattersalls, alongside the amount raised by 81 participants.

Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive of Racing Welfare, said: "I’m in awe of every single one of our cyclists who overcame the hills, heat and lack of sleep for Racing Welfare. It was inspirational to see some 81 individuals from all corners of the industry come together with a common goal of raising funds to help us support racing’s people.

Teams cycled through the night to raise money for Racing WelfareCredit: Racing Welfare

"We owe a huge thank you to all those who took part, as well as those who supported in a myriad of other ways, from donating, to volunteering - and of course to our generous event sponsors without whom the event would not be possible.

"Thanks also to The Jockey Club for not only being one of those key sponsors, but kindly donating the use of Cheltenham racecourse for the duration, and Jockey Club Catering for ensuring our cyclists were so well fuelled for the challenge.”

Participants came from all across the racing industry, and included Sir AP McCoy, Magnolia Cup winner Khadijah Mellah and champion jockey Oisin Murphy.

The Menorahs - Tom Danter, Rhys Flint, Richard Johnson and Harry SkeltonCredit: Racing Welfare

The group completed a total of 644 laps and 57 of them were completed by a team consisting of Rhys Flint, Harry Skelton, Tom Danter and Richard Johnson - the most laps by any of the teams.

Four-time champion jockey Johnson said after the challenge: "I’m not a regular cyclist and some of the hills around the Cotswold area are quite steep and it was quite hard work, but it’s for a fantastic cause and Racing Welfare help so many people.

"It's been a great atmosphere for 24 hours and I think everyone’s rallied and kept everyone going. There’s one hill called Ham Hill which is apparently quite notorious for cyclists and I'll never see that hill again!"

Anyone wishing to support the challenge can still do so by texting GRWC and the amount you wish to donate to 70450 (eg. GRWC5 GRWC10 GRWC50 etc), or by bidding on ‘money can’t buy’ donated auction lots at bit.ly/CycleAuction before 5pm on Friday.

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