My story

I am pleased to say that I successfully finished my challenge at Fontwell racecourse on 11th December!
Please read on to see what has been involved!.....
My challenge during 2012 was to visit the 31 English racecourses (on race days) that I haven't yet visited. During this time I have driven over 11,000 miles, spent the equivalent of 7 days at the wheel and a small fortune at the fuel pump!
The racecourses I have visited as part of my challenge during the year are listed below:
Huntingdon, Hereford, Wincanton, Towcester, Sedgefield, Uttoxeter, Kelso, Fakenham, Ludlow, and Goodwood, Chester, Plumpton, Aintree, Kempton & Windsor, Royal Ascot, Worcester, Newbury, Brighton, Cartmel, Sandown, Epsom, Stratford (where I was runner up in the Best Dressed Lady competition!!) Folkestone, Newmarket, Newton Abbot, Salisbury, Bath, Exeter, Taunton & Fontwell and I've had very nice days on each occasion!
I would like to thank my good friend Emma Pearmaine of Simpson Millar for her support & generosity at Aintree, John Powell of EPDS Racing, good pals Steve & Val Allen of General Welding for their ongoing support and friendship, Darren Cook & team at Hereford Races, Steve Parlett of Wincanton Racecourse, Jill Williamson of Sedgefield racecourse, Louise of Kelso racecourse (where the sun shone on us all day!) David Hunter, Chief Exec of Fakenham, Bob Davies of Ludlow, Lucy Faith & Bradley of Goodwood, Paul Clark & Jon of Plumpton, Helen Talbot of Kempton, Christina & Matthew of Windsor, Jenny Cheshire of Worcester, Cilla Osgood of Newbury, Stuart Dorn of Brighton, Annie of Sandown, Emma Santer of Folkestone, Fiona Watson, Patrick Masterson of Newton Abbot (where the meeting was almost abandoned at the last minute due to water logging!) Alexina Griggs of Salisbury & Tim Darby of Exeter, Bob Young and team who looked after me very well at Taunton and Phil Bell and Emma Newbery of Fontwell for their kind support. Thanks also to David Kay who has not only provided a nap of the day at each course throwing the winnings in the charity kitty, but kindly organised tickets for Royal Ascot Ladies Day which was a fabulous day and marked the half way point of my challenge being racecourse number 16!
 
When I visited Newbury, I also visited HEROS charity which is one of the charities I am supporting.... Spent a lovely couple of hours there and thank you to Hilary who showed me around and introduced me to the horses they currently have in their care including the ambassador Monsignor & his old mate Run for Paddy! Two superstars in their day! It was lovely to meet them all and to see the good work they do at HEROS.
 
I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive of my mission to attend the courses and raise money for 2 very worthy causes (my other charity being Kirkwood Hospice in West Yorkshire www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk). I would also like to thank everyone in advance of their support in the future and very much hope I can take a number of you along to the racecourses with me to experience the thrills of horse-racing (you are all welcome - just let me know!) and hopefully we can pick a few winners too and help the charities further!
During 2012 I will also be visiting 'old favourite' racecourses which ar not on the 'to do' list including York, Cheltenham, Haydock, Beverley, Wetherby, Newcastle, Pontefract & Southwell to name a few, and would welcome their support during my mission too. All help very much appreciated!
Please keep 'checking in' to my Just Giving page to see how the next 12 months pan out!
All the very best to you and yours & have a fab 2012!
Kate x
SPONSORSHIP WELCOMED:
I would like to thank Liz Devine of Simply Devine Specialist Hat Shop in Tadcaster (www.simplydevine.co.uk) for her kind sponsorship of my headwear for the next 12 months during my challenge! I shall add photos to the site as we go so you can see what beautiful hats Simply Devine have!
If anyone else would like to offer their support through sponsorship I would love to discuss this opportunity with you further. Please get in touch with my at kate@thoroughbredmanagement.co.uk
Please visit my website below to find out more about Thoroughbred Business Management Ltd ........ driving Profit through People Processes & Performance
www.thoroughbredmanagement.co.uk
During 2011 I have also introduced a new service supporting businesses sourcing & recruiting experienced Finance staff, we also specialise in the Legal Sector where Finance staff with the relevant sector expertise are always that little bit more difficult to find. Please visit www.legalfinancejobs.co.uk for more information.

My gallery 10

My Teams

My company

My charity

HEROS

HEROS

Charity Registration No. 1115174

Hundreds of racehorses finish racing each year, with some disappearing of the radar. HEROS helps find new homes and careers for ex-racehorses when they have finished racing giving them a fresh start and a new and happy life.

Donations 12

windmill2.png

Donation by Anonymous on 22/12/12

£136.25

+ £34.06 Gift Aid

Superman.png

Good luck!! x

Donation by Sarah Simpson on 09/11/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

Superman.png

Loving the black and white hat from Ascot! Hope you get some good weather to see you past the finishing post.

Donation by Jennifer Holloway on 08/11/12

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

Inmem.png

More pics of the outfits and those great hats please!... and maybe a horse picture too!

Donation by Libby Walker on 06/09/12

£16.00

+ £4.00 Gift Aid

cupcake.png

Loving the hats. Well done Kate.

Donation by Suzannah Hepworth on 13/07/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

thumbsUp.png

If only all ex-racehorses could have a lovely retirement like your Fred! Good luck with the challenge Kate. xx Marion (Lally)

Donation by Marion Langford on 14/04/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Jumping.png

Well done Kate! Very worthy cause and I know you're going to complete this challenge with ease! xx

Donation by Jill Hepworth on 02/03/12

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

Jumping.png

Well done Kate on a great start to your mission! Will donate again soon x

Donation by Valerie Allen on 27/01/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

cupcake.png

You go girl! Don't forget we want pix of all those lovely hats you'll be wearing! xx

Donation by Patricia Langstaff on 18/01/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

cupcake.png

Hi Kate I'm so happy to support you on this crazy mission! We'll catch up soon T xxxx

Donation by Tina Dodd on 18/01/12

£100.00

+ £25.00 Gift Aid

windmill.png

Donation by Helen Hatfield on 13/01/12

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Jumping.png

This is a great charity to support - being a horse rider myself I am happy to do what I can to help

Donation by Heather Jones on 10/01/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$616.34
  • Offline donations$621.52
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$1,237.86
  • Gift Aid$154.08

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.