The horseracing industry’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare, has today launched an all-new mass participation fundraising event for 2023 – the Racing Welfare Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
The challenge takes place on Saturday 8th July, with registrations now open. The 12-hour challenge will be led by fully qualified guides from event partner Large Outdoors. It is the perfect team event but is also open to any individuals that are keen to take part.
As well as being home to both Malton and Middleham racing centres and nine of the UK’s racecourses, Yorkshire is also the home of the famous three peaks of Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside. Starting and finishing in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, the challenge is 25 miles long and includes over 1,500 metres of ascent. One person that has already signed up is Racing Welfare’s chief executive, Dawn Goodfellow who said: “As this challenge takes place in my home county of North Yorkshire, ‘God’s County’, I just couldn’t resist signing up myself! Although this will be a mammoth physical challenge, I’m buoyed by the prospect of completing it in the company of amazing people from all corners of the racing industry, and the knowledge that we will be raising a great deal of money for racing’s people.”
Racing Welfare’s support is available to everyone working in or retired from the British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding industries, helping people to thrive in their day-to-day lives by providing information, advice and guidance services for a range of life’s challenges. During 2022 the charity helped more than 2,700 people, seeing demand for services increase by 14% on the previous year.
Dawn continues: “Demand has been steadily increasing since 2020 and the Covid-19 pandemic, and it shows no sign of slowing down as we continue to live through challenging times. Over the past year racing’s people have sought our support with physical and mental health issues, careers advice and retirement to name but a few, with financial assistance being particularly in demand as the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’ continues.
“To continue to offer these vital services to racing’s people, Racing Welfare needs to raise more than £2.2million each year. Without the help of our charity fundraisers, and all the people who dedicate time and effort to take on our challenge events, we’d really struggle to achieve that fundraising target.”
Entry fees for the for the Racing Welfare Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge are set at £35pp, with participants asked to raise a minimum £300 sponsorship. Those interested in taking part can register for the challenge or download a fundraising pack at https://racingwelfare.co.uk/challenges-archive/yorkshire-three-peaks-challenge/.