Charity race day reaps rewards
Posted: Wednesday 17th October 2007
A Southern Water charity race day raised nearly £60,000 for WaterAid.
Nearly 6,000 people attended the Irish race day, the biggest attendance for an October event at Fontwell Park Racecourse, near Chichester.
Southern Water directors, staff, their families and contractors were among the race-goers at the event, which was attended by former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody MBE.
The day included seven races, an auction of highly sought-after lots, including a trip for two to Paris and a Chelsea football shirt signed by Joe Cole, and a concert by the popular Irish band The Saw Doctors.
Writer and broadcaster Simon Fanshawe opened the event in the sponsor marquee where lunch was provided and Mr Dunwoody talked about his career and gave racing tips.
Geoff Loader, Director of Communications at Southern Water, said: “Southern Water has now exceeded its target of £200,000 this year for WaterAid thanks to the race day, a James Bond-themed ball in March and a golf day in July.
“If you think just £15 is enough to give one person a lasting supply of safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, imagine how many people will benefit with the money we have raised.”
Nikki Skipper, South East Regional Development Manager for WaterAid, said: “There really was quite an overwhelming amount of interest and good will and the amount raised was beyond our wildest dreams.”
