Racecourse helps charity attending horse incidents

Money is to be raised at a racecourse for an ambulance charity that is called to an equestrian-related incident, on average, once a week.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity said it would be supported by Cheltenham's season finale, the Hunter Chase Race Night on 2 May.

Last year's event raised more than £18,000, funding 11 life-saving missions, it added.

The horse riding incidents the charity responds to are "often in remote locations where access can be a challenge", it said.

The charity's head of clinical operations, Karen Baker, said that in these critical situations, the service provides critically ill or injured patients "with the very best advanced pre-hospital care" at the scene.

She added: "We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support from the equestrian community, which helps make these lifesaving missions possible."

For the fourth year running, The Jockey Club, which owns Cheltenham racecourse, is collaborating with Midlands Air Ambulance on the event, selecting it as the official charity partner.

On the night, amateur riders and trainers will compete in seven races, spanning distances between two and four miles.

Money will be raised through guests paying for a three-course meal, to watch the racing and for post-race entertainment.

The Jockey Club assistant general manager Andre Klein said: "With the charity called out to an equestrian-related incident every week on average, this partnership highlights the importance of their service."

The charity is responsible for funding and operating three air ambulance helicopters and a fleet of critical care cars.

Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire are served by the organisation.

The charity also provides secondary cover to surrounding areas, such as Warwickshire.

Each year it costs £16m to maintain the three aircraft, the cars and the provision of a life-saving service.

It operates from airbases at Cosford in Shropshire, Strensham on the Worcestershire/Gloucestershire border and Tatenhill in Staffordshire.

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