London Marathon runners raise over £15K for Racing Welfare

Dedicated London Marathon runners have raised over £15K of valuable funds and awareness for the horseracing industry’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare.

A total of ten runners, some of whom have personally benefitted from Racing Welfare’s support or who have links to the racing industry, pounded the streets of London on Sunday (21), each clocking up 26.2 miles around the iconic course. So far, they have raised an impressive £15,588 for Racing Welfare, with more funds continuing to be donated post-event. 

The sum raised by the intrepid runners will allow the charity to provide professional guidance and practical help and support to those who need it. The charity aims to help people, from recruitment to retirement, to thrive in day-to-day life and through a range of life’s challenges.

In the multi-billion pound industry with equine welfare at its heart of operations, and where avid racegoers are keen to learn more about the latest horse racing results, the Equine Welfare Charity focuses on those working in the industry from recruitment to retirement, to thrive in day-to-day life and through a range of life’s challenges.

A post-race reception for the runners was held at the London offices of Savills, the estate agent and lettings company, and was attended by Daisy Felton, Racing Welfare Fundraising Executive.

Daisy said: “All of the participants running in aid of Racing Welfare at this year’s London Marathon put in a stellar effort to raise more that £15k for the charity, with more funds continuing to come in following the event.

“The dedication they’ve shown to train, fundraise and complete the event is admirable and all of us at Racing Welfare would like to thank them and celebrate their achievements. Their hard work will help to ensure we can continue to be there for racing’s people when they need us most.”

Runners participating in aid of Racing Welfare, of particular note, include Richard Cosgrave who works for Harry Whittington Racing in Lambourn and completed the event in a time of 03:56:47 despite historically receiving support from Racing Welfare after sustaining a fall which resulted in a broken neck. 

Said Richard: “I’ve been extremely lucky to continue in this physically and mentally demanding industry. This would never have been made available without the support of Racing Welfare, the guidance, and dedication of this charity has enabled me to continue through the challenges of my recovery and more.“

Katie King (feature image), who currently works at the University of Manchester in the field of cardiovascular research, chose to run in aid of Racing Welfare after seeing first-hand the positive impact the charity has within the horse racing community.

While at University she worked at a stud in the Lake District as well as riding out at a yard in Lambourn. Katie said: “I wanted to do The London Marathon for Racing Welfare after watching my mum (Jane King) run the Great North Run for Racing Welfare last year. When I worked in Lambourn, I saw first-hand what an impact Racing Welfare had within the community and how much the racing staff depended on support from the charity.”

Harrison Mills, Strategy Manager at The Jockey Club, completed the run in an impressive time of 2:43:35, and Sophie Webber, Brand Marketing Assistant at Goffs – the global auction house for Thoroughbreds, who has raised £4,138 so far against an initial target of £2,000. 

Strategy Manager at The Jockey Club, Harrison Mills, who was motivated to take part having seen the positive impact Racing Welfare has on the industry’s workforce, commented: “The charity does incredible work supporting mental and physical health, addiction and assistance with housing to name a few of their services. All donations towards Racing Welfare will go a long way to supporting those in need.”

To find out more about our Racing Welfare runners and to sponsor their efforts, please visit the Racingwelfare London Marathon Challenge 2024 page of the website.