Redcar Racecourse prepares to salute country’s heroes during raceday

Racegoers from across the North East are being encouraged to show their support for the armed forces at Redcar Racecourse’s Help for Heroes Family Fun Day this month.

The raceday, on Sunday 17^th July, will see families from across the region come together to show their support for both Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the annual event, which is also the second day of the Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival.

Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion will be fundraising at the meeting and members of the armed forces attending on the day, will have the opportunity to present winning connections with their prizes.

Alongside the horse races on the day there will be a parade along the final furlong of the racecourse by the Royal British Legion standard bearers, which will culminate in a two-minute silence to remember all those who have served in the forces.

Eric Howden, BEM, who was mentioned in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List last month and was awarded the British Empire Medal, will be leading the parade.

Eric, who is a member of the Royal Army Ordinance Corps, having served in Germany and Singapore, said: “I have been leading the parade for many years now and every year myself and the service personnel always receive a wonderful, warm reception, which we really appreciate.

“People come from all around the North East to attend this special raceday and it’s a lovely feeling to see so many turn out to show their respect for the veterans.”

Accompanied by the Cleveland Army Cadet Force marching band, the parade will also include members of the Armed Forces Bikers, 2394 Squadron Air Training Corps, Cleveland Army Cadets, and Sea Cadets from the Training Ship Zetland. Current and former armed service personnel are welcome to join in the parade which will take place immediately after the third race at 3.05pm.

Any serving or former military personnel wearing their medals with an MOD90 card or HM Armed Forces Veteran badge, will get free entry into the racecourse on the day, in recognition of their service.

Amy Fair, general manager of Redcar Racecourse said: “We are really looking forward to our Help for Heroes Family Fun Day, because not only is it always a fantastic day out for all the family, but it’s a proud day for us to be supporting such good causes.”

In celebration of the annual meeting, the racecourse is giving one lucky racegoer the chance to win a VIP day for four people by taking part in its prize draw on social media. The winner and their three friends will receive a day out to remember with VIP admission badges and racecards, and hospitality including three course lunch with a bottle of wine and table for the day in the Voltigeur Restaurant.

The remainder of the season for 2016 is jam-packed with other Premier meetings including the Caribbean Carnival Day on Saturday 6^th August, Ladies’ and Gents’ Evening on Saturday 27^th August, and the Two Year Old Trophy Day on Saturday 1^st October.

Admission prices on the day start from £5 per adult with free admission for accompanied children aged 17 and under. The admission gates will open at 12 noon and the first race is scheduled to start at 2.00pm.

Parties of 10 or more can also save over 20% when they book their Grandstand or Course Enclosure admission tickets in advance.

There are many hospitality options from the Dine & View package in the Crow’s Nest Restaurant to racegoers’ packages including admission, a racecard, food and drink.

The Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival is a weeklong racing extravaganza with racing at eight Yorkshire racecourses during the week, starting at Ripon on Saturday 16^th July and culminating at Pontefract on Sunday 24^th July.

For more information, visit http://www.redcarracing.co.uk/ and to enter the VIP prize draw visit https://www.facebook.com/RedcarRacing/.

For more information on Help for Heroes, visit http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ and to discover more about the Royal British Legion, visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ and for information on Go Racing In Yorkshire, visit http://www.felixfund.org.uk/.

Facebook & Twitter: @Redcarracing

2016 Premier meetings:

• Sunday 17^th July – Help for Heroes Family Fun Day
• Saturday 6^th August – Caribbean Carnival Day
• Saturday 27^th August – Ladies’ & Gents’ Evening
• Saturday 1^st October – Totepool Two Year Old Trophy Day