Five leading drivers will
have an added incentive to perform well at Cranbourne Harness Racing Club?s
?Starlight Sunday? meeting on 27 April.
The quintet has thrown its
weight behind a major fundraising initiative to support the Starlight
Children?s Foundation.
Chris Alford, John Caldow,
Ray Mathews, Jodi Quinlan and Craig Demmler will each be driving for charity at
the twilight meeting. (Caldow, Demmler & Quinlan are pictured with
Captain Starlight)
They have agreed to donate
50 percent of their drivers? fees on the day.
In addition, each has also
generously committed half of their stake money percentages to the Foundation.
?We are particularly
grateful to these high profile drivers for their support,? Cranbourne Harness
Racing Club Chief Executive Michael Hodge said today.
?When we approached the
drivers, each was very willing, and indeed enthusiastic about being involved in
the promotion. I?m sure they will also be keen to drive as many winners as
possible and ensure the maximum possible donation for the Starlight
Foundation,? he added.
?Starlight
is proud of its work with partners and believes the relationship with Harness
Racing Victoria represents a genuine two?way partnership,? Starlight State
Manager Michelle Eunson said.
?We
hope this is the first year of a long and mutually successful association,? she
added.
Cranbourne?s 27 April
charity meeting falls during the Starlight Children?s Foundation?s annual
national awareness and fundraising campaign, titled ?Star Day?.
Star Day merchandise will be
on sale at the race meeting, and members of the public will have the
opportunity to meet the Foundation?s mascot, Star Man.
In addition, donation boxes
will be situated on-course for those who would like to support the fundraising
initiative.
To enhance the family focus
of the day, free children?s activities will be offered including an animal
farm.
?Twilight harness racing is
something new for the Cranbourne Club and we?re keen to launch it with a bang,?
Hodge said.
?The Club welcomes the
opportunity to work with Starlight and looks forward to a most successful
meeting,? he said.
The
Starlight Children?s Foundation brightens the lives of as many seriously ill
children and their families as possible by providing entertainment both in and
out of hospitals nation-wide and through the granting of wishes.