Tuesday, October 12, 2004
TOP JOCKEY DONATES CAR TO INJURED JOCKEYS FUND
Michael Hills has donated the car he won for being Leading Jockey (with six winners) at last year's Newmarket Cambridgeshire Meeting - to the Injured Jockeys Fund. The new lucky owner of the Peugeot 307 SW S is Sharron Murgatroyd who became a tetraplegic following a fall at Bangor in 1991, having ridden 14 winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Sharron will be presented with her car by both Michael Hills and Peter Bourke (Marketing Manager Events, Peugeot) by the Millennium Grandstand at Newmarket Racecourse at 12.30, before racing on Thursday 14 October. The Peugeot 307 estate car has been adapted by the IJF with a special car seat so that Sharron can get in and out easily and ride as a passenger in comfort and safety.
Explains Michael Hills: "I am a huge supporter of The Injured Jockeys Fund. We take part in one of the most dangerous sports and we are very lucky to have it. They do wonderful things for people in need and I want to support them 100%."
Adds Sharron: "The car I have been using was 10 years old so to have this new Peugeot is fantastic. It means I'll be able to get out and about without worrying about breaking down."
"It is the first time in our charity's history that a current jockey has donated a car to an injured former-colleague and we would like to thank Michael for this tremendous gesture", ends Jeremy Richardson, Chief Executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Sharron keeps herself busy with television work, talks, writing poetry and fund raising for The Spinal Injuries Association and Spinal Research, as well as The Injured Jockeys Fund. The next talk she is due to give will be to return to her Grammar School to speak about life and disability.
Since its foundation 40 years ago, the Injured Jockeys Fund has helped to improve the lives of over 1,000 injured jockeys and their widows and families. Only around 30% of the charity's outgoings are covered by income from investments. The Fund relies on sales from Christmas trading and the generosity of their supporters to cover the remainder. Their Christmas Card, the 2005 Calendar, the pocket diary, popular Desk Diary and other useful Christmas stocking fillers are now all on sale at racecourses across the country, by ringing freefone 08080 453 453 or via the IJF website www.ijf.org.uk
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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