Charity’s Grand National event is £7,500 winner
SOME 200 islanders dressed to impress for a special Grand National fundraiser for the Ray Lowe Sporting Foundation on Saturday.
The event was one of the first big fundraisers since lockdown ended.
Karen New, from the charity, said it had booked the St Pierre Park Hotel for the lunch event for two years. But last year’s was cancelled due to the first lockdown.
She said it was a relief to see Saturday’s event go ahead, especially as the tickets had sold out before the second lockdown started.
‘It is lovely to see everyone here,’ she said.
‘So far we have raised £6,000 and we are hoping to raise even more [over the evening].’
The event included a prize draw and live entertainment, as well as a chance to bet on the race itself.
It was all about raising as much money as possible for the Ray Lowe Foundation, which was set up in memory of Ms New’s father, who was a keen golfer and tennis player. It aims to help young people in the Bailiwick to achieve through sport.
‘It’s our 10th year, so we are trying to do extra fundraising,’ she said.
The charity has made a huge difference to many young people. It has supported 20 sports – both individuals and teams – including touch rugby, water polo and football.
One of the latest projects has been to support junior golf, with Year 5 students now able to try the sport during PE lessons after the foundation supplied equipment. The foundation has also been working to partner schools with golf clubs.
Ms New said her father would have loved the charity’s work.
‘He was always interested in supporting young people and he would be very proud of this,’ she said.
It was confirmed yesterday that more than £7,500 was raised over the afternoon and evening.
Some of the money from Saturday’s event will go towards buying a nest swing for the Sark Playground Project.
