Episode Two: Panel Announced

Racing Together launch second webinar “Charities, heroes and heartstrings: all in a day’s racing” to take place on Thursday 18 November at 12.30

What is racing’s capacity to help charities, and how do the most successful partnerships work? Join host Rosie Tapner and our expert panel to explore racing’s power and opportunity to help others through fundraising, profile-raising and understanding how beneficiaries can connect with the sport in a positive way.

Host Rosie Tapner has a passion for horses and racing, and also fundraising, regularly taking on adrenaline-seeking sporting feats. Rosie has ridden in three charity races; two Magnolia Cups at Goodwood in aid of Wellbeing of Women and Smart Works and at Ascot supporting The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

Rosie is joined by an expert panel:

Colin Dyer, CEO WellChild

Colin was appointed Chief Executive of WellChild in 2010 having joined the organisation two years earlier. Prior to joining WellChild, Colin spent five years heading up the Steve Redgrave Trust, a charity providing inclusion opportunities for young people across the UK. A qualified senior journalist and former news and sports editor, Colin spent 10 years directing and consulting on sports marketing and sponsorship accounts in the UK and across Europe – including work to incorporate cause-related and charity-focused elements in major sponsorships alongside organisations such as Comic Relief and the World Food Programme. Colin is passionate about ensuring that children and young people have access to the best possible opportunities. One of his proudest achievements has been leading on a change in direction at WellChild from grant funding to the direct, practical support programmes, which are now proving so vital for thousands of families every year. However, in his words, ‘there is still much to do’.

Adam Ferguson, Regional Community Executive, Racing Welfare

Adam’s career in the racing industry started through a foundation course at the National Horseracing College after which he spent four seasons working for Champion National Hunt Trainer, Paul Nicholls OBE.

Prior to joining Racing Welfare in 2017 Adam, who has a degree in graphic design from Newcastle University, completed the British Horseracing Authority Graduate Scheme which included placement at Weatherbys. 

Adam initially joined the Racing Welfare team as a welfare officer in Lambourn before returning home to the North of the country in 2019 to take up the role of regional community executive for the North.  Having completed his Welfare Diploma and a Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills, Adam was seconded to the post of regional welfare manager for the North and is a candidate on the 2021 Thoroughbred Horseracing Industries MBA. Adam is involved in the organising and running of community and fundraising events and has seen first-hand the benefits the racing industry can have on its own workforce.

Abbie Hawkins, Partnerships Executive, West Midlands Air Ambulance

The West Midlands Air Ambulance is inextricably linked with equestrian sport and much of Abbie’s work coordinating fundraising events involves racing-related visits and day trips. The charity covers Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire. The team predominantly serves Cheltenham, Hereford, Ludlow, Uttoxeter, Wolverhampton, and Worcester racecourses, as well several trainers, including Henry Daly, Henry Oliver, Alistair Ralph, Ian Williams and Venetia Williams. Abbie’s own personal connection with horses and racing gives her a unique understanding of how the sport can help its connected charities.

Grant Rowley, Communications Lead for Jockey Club Racecourses (West) and member of the Executive Team

Grant leads the multiple award-winning Aintree Community Programme, which focusses on Education and Enterprise, Health and Wellbeing and Community Engagement. Through the power of horseracing and the Grand National, the Aintree Community Programme aims to inspire children and adults alike to be the best that they can be. As such, Grant has been involved in creating and delivering industry-leading charity and community partnerships, including The Festival presented by WellChild and Aintree’s partnership with Everton in the Community, as well as wider Jockey Club partnerships including Box4Kids.

Register your place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SAnthdb_R2mDbHrP-L-t7w

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