Oh yes they did! Chester businesses help raise massive £40k in pantomime race
A PANTOMIME Horse Race helped raise £40,000 for a Chester-based charity.
Thousands of people cheered as entrants jockeyed for position during the annual event at Chester Racecourse, which is quickly becoming a highlight of the city’s racing season.
Twenty-one entrants took part at The Roodee, including a zebra, a unicorn, a polar bear and a reindeer.
The event was in aid of the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, which provides end-of-life care and support to local individuals and families.
The £40,000 raised is more than double the £12,000 raised 12 months ago.
Of the 21 who took part, nine came from businesses who are members of the Chester Business Club (CBC)
Among them was the CBC’s Chair, Jan Chillery, who took part alongside her teenage-daughter Bessie Belcher.
They raced as ChestaZebra sponsored by Aaron & Partners Solicitors, led by Lauren Evans, the newly appointed CBC Secretary.
Jan, whose zebra entry won the Best Dressed Award, said: “The Pantomime Horse Race is now one of the highlights of the year. Not only is it great fun, but it’s also a brilliant way to raise lots of money for a fantastic charity. I was particularly proud to see 9 businesses from the Chester Business Club stepping up to take part and help generate donations. The money raised will make such a difference to the work the charity can do.”
The nine entrants linked to the CBC raised £7978 between them including a whopping £2220 by Teddy the Broker from Grosvenor Insurance Brokers, who won the Best Fundraiser Award.
The event was won by Net Hub’s camel Humphrey, run by Richard Omoyele and Emmanuel Biolatiri with “camel owner” Ben Rowlands.
Other CBC entrants in the race included Swedish Horse Mafia, sponsored by Nicola Arrowsmith of Handelsbanken. Its runners were Kate Render & Jennifer Briscoe);
Storrar’s Verdict, sponsored by Darlene Storrar of Storrar Cowdry Solicitors. Its runners were Emme Pierce-Kemp and Judith Malony; Never Desert You, sponsored by Andrew Hopwood of Champion Accountants. Its runners were Nathan Jones & Spencer Youd; Empire Global Trotter, sponsored by Martin Johnson of Empire Global Finance. Its runners were Daniel Johnson & Matthew Tomlinson; Oliver the Legal Legend, sponsored by Kay Cook of Oliver & Co Solicitors. Its runners were Annabel Birtles & Felicity Parry; Moogan Moonro, sponsored by Luke Pritchard of Knights. Its runners were Megan Baldwin-Brown & Rebecca Munro; and TheRoodee Rascal, sponsored by Kate Dawson of Chester Racecourse. Its runners were Steve Walls & Pete Edwards)