Hereford Racecourse is proud to stage the inaugural Richard Layton Charity Raceday on Wednesday 27th November 2024
Proceeds from the raceday fundraising will benefit the following three charities:
- We Are Farming Minds
- Midlands Air Ambulance
- Injured Jockeys’ Fund
Why is this being staged?
No fewer than SEVEN Herefordshire farmers took their own lives in 2023 alone.
This terrifying statistic underlines the fact that there is a mental health crisis in the agricultural community, and it is right on our doorstep. Because the NHS is overwhelmed, charities are forced to fill the breach as best they can.
Tragically, Richard Layton, who ran Dewdales Hope Farm in Bodenham, near Leominster, was one of those farmers.
He was just 53 when he took his own life in March last year, following a lengthy mental health battle.
His wife Marie-Louise, son George and daughter Lily are determined to raise awareness and support those in the local Herefordshire farming community who may similarly be suffering from anxiety, loneliness and depression.
Marie-Louise’s cousins and Wye Valley Group founders, Sue and Andrew Howell, also suffered a similar tragedy. Their elder brother, Robert, was just 27 when he took his own life.
This is personal for the two families and their friends. They are all determined to make a difference, trying to ensure lives are saved.
Along with journalist and broadcaster Simon Milham, they have come together to form ‘Charity Racedays’, and are hosting a spectacular event, trying to raise as much money as possible for three deserving charities, with all monies raised split equally between the three.
Thank you for ‘Making Mental Health the Front Runner’
A fabulous afternoon of jump racing will be augmented by a raffle and auction, and racegoers will have the opportunity to buy raffle tickets and donate at the charities’ respective stalls, with the IJF selling their ever-popular Christmas cards and calendars.
The organisers have been overwhelmed by the incredible support they have already received, and that support is tremendously appreciated.
The organisers would greatly welcome any support you can offer, such as:
- Sponsorship: Racecard advertisement / Racecourse banner advertisement
- Donations of raffle / auction prizes
- Monetary donations
Of course, you will receive grateful thanks with an acknowledgement in the Official Racecard and you’ll be ‘Making Mental Health the Front Runner’.
If you have any questions or wish to donate, please contact any of the organisers:
George Layton: mrlayton1@gmail.com
Marie-Louise Layton: dewdales@btconnect.com
Sue Howell: sue@wyevalleygroup.co.uk
Simon Milham: simon.milham@wyevalleygroup.co.uk
Please support us in raising mental health awareness among the farming community in Herefordshire
THE CHARITIES
WE ARE FARMING MINDS
WAFM is a registered charity that helps raise mental health awareness in the rural communities of Herefordshire and support the wellbeing of farmers.
Set up by Sam and Emily Stables, its aim is to reach out to the farming community to break down stigma, open up support and say to every farmer ‘you are not alone’.
WAFM provide 24-hour support, funding for professional counselling if required, mental health training to individuals and professionals in the farming community, resources and advice for further help, social events to combat isolation and bring farmers together, reassurance through personal experience that things can and will get better and a befriending service for people that are lonely or isolated.
If you are a Herefordshire farmer or you are concerned about someone you know and want someone to talk to, you can call the We Are Farming Minds 24/7 helpline on 0808 802 0070 or text 07786 203130
MIDLANDS AIR AMBULANCE
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is responsible for funding and operating three air ambulance helicopters and three critical care cars serving the communities of six Midlands counties: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire.
INJURED JOCKEYS’ FUND
The Injured Jockeys Fund provides appropriate support in a prompt and sympathetic manner to those jockeys past or present who are injured, unable to ride, or generally in need.
