AN ANNUAL charity day at Chepstow Racecourse raised a record £72,000 for the Noah’s Ark charity.
This year’s Royal Ascot Charity Day, held earlier this month after a three-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, set a new fundraising record for the popular event.
Organised by Julie Hayward, the Vice Chair of the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity, 300 guests enjoyed a three-course lunch, raffle and live auction at the event, now in its 12th year.
Among the raffle prizes were a Toyota Aygo, donated by Chairman of the charity, Eddie Hayward OBE, as well as a Wales Rugby World Cup trip to Bordeaux and a luxury London weekend break at the Langham Hotel in London.
Long term Noah’s Ark Charity supporter, Marilyn Meisels, stole the crown again in the ladies’ hat competition. Ms Meisels had the hat commissioned specifically for the event around a Noah’s Ark Charity theme.
The funds raised from the day will contribute to the Noah’s Ark Charity Jungle Ward Appeal which aims to raise £1 million to transform a ward within the hospital where children with complex medical conditions and young people in mental health crisis are cared for. The new ward will also be a place where children undergoing rehabilitation for brain injuries are cared for.
Director of the Noah’s Ark Charity, Suzanne Mainwaring, said: “After a three year pause due to Covid, the annual event truly came back with a bang, topping the event’s previous fundraising record by an additional £8,000.”
She added: “Our sincere thanks go to Chepstow Plant International and the Hayward family who have made this event a must for the guests who return year after year. The generosity of auction prize contributors and bidders and all of those involved in staging the event has meant that our Jungle Ward Appeal to achieve the best facilities and environment possible has taken a big leap forward. We are especially thankful, given the turbulence of the last two years because of the pandemic.”
To find out more about the Jungle Ward Appeal visit: noahsarkcharity.org/junglewardappeal/
