BRITISH RACING PLEDGES RECORD NUMBER OF FREE TICKETS FOR TROOPS

02 Mar 2012 Pre-2014 Releases

With the excitement of the Cheltenham Festival less than a week away, the British Horseracing Authority is delighted to announce its continued support of charity Tickets For Troops for the third year running.

Not only has Cheltenham Racecourse generously donated tickets for the first three days of the Festival, but every racecourse in Britain have joined forces to make a record donation of over 78,000 free tickets to the races in 2012, almost doubling their contribution for 2011.

More than 6,500 members of Tickets For Troops enjoyed a visit to the races in 2011, and Britain’s racecourses anticipate an even bigger uptake in 2012. With over 1,100 fixtures to choose from and free admission to all race meetings for children under 16, many of our servicemen and women can enjoy a top family day out for free.

Robin Mounsey, Communications Manager for the British Horseracing Authority said:

“The generosity of British racecourses this year has been remarkable, and as an industry we are again proud to play our small part in demonstrating our appreciation for the inspirational men and women who serve our country. Racecourses have donated tickets in their thousands, and with some of the UK’s top fixtures on offer, we hope the troops and their families will have a thoroughly deserved and enjoyable day out.”

Tickets For Troops is a charity that supports the work of serving military personnel and veterans who have been medically discharged from the Forces since 2011 by offering them free tickets to events around the country.

Richard Johnson, Cheltenham favourite and Tickets For Troops Patron, said “I am absolutely thrilled at the level of support that British Horseracing has shown to Tickets For Troops, even more so to play a personal role in backing this initiative. Hopefully this pledge from so many kind supporters goes some way to showing our brave service men and women how much we appreciate the incredible work that they do every day on our behalf.”

Patron, Samantha Cameron said “Tickets For Troops has been a massive success in terms of recognising the work and courage of our troops but it has also rewarded those families whose support and love is crucial in the frontline. I am delighted and privileged to support such an excellent cause.

To find out more about this initiative, visit: stage.britishhorseracing.com/tickets-for-troops/.