Walking The Courses charity heads to Lingfield Park

At the launch of the 2015-2016 All-Weather Championships at Lingfield last October, Arena Racing Company (ARC) announced that it would be joining forces with charity campaign 'Walking The Courses'.

The partnership aimed to boost the fundraising and awareness of the project during the winter months and this inaugural charity partnership, which draws to a close on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield Park on Good Friday, has been a resounding success for Richard Farquhar's campaign and its co-beneficiaries.

Farquhar, who has now completed all but 135 miles of his 3,000 mile walk between all mainland UK racecourses, said: "Being the Official Charity Partner of the All-Weather Championships this year has meant that 'Walking The Courses' has benefited from seven extra exit collections, which have collectively raised over £2,500 for Racing Welfare and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

"The final collection on Good Friday is likely to push that total close to £4,000.

"Both of these charities do the most fantastic work so this extra funding and publicity is invaluable to both of them.

"ARC should be applauded for their eagerness to establish the partnership and for their incredible support of, and commitment to, 'Walking The Courses' over the winter. I would like to say a big thank you to the All-Weather Championships team and to everyone at Lingfield Park, all of whom have gone out of their way to help time and time again."

ARC have also benefited from having 'Walking The Courses' as their Official Charity Partner.

Susannah Gill, Director of External, said, "We have been delighted to support Richard's incredible efforts and are pleased the partnership with the All-Weather Championships has helped raise extra funds and awareness for both the charities involved.

"We are looking forward to welcoming Richard to Lingfield Park for Finals Day, where he will undertake a walk of the course before racing, along with other activities throughout the afternoon."

Farquhar's 3,000 mile walk across the nation from racecourse to racecourse in memory of his father, Peter, who was lost to pancreatic cancer in 2012 and who worked in racing as a stable lad and stud hand, has captured the hearts and minds of the racing world during the past year.

Farquhar is hoping that his marathon efforts will raise a huge £1.4million to be split equally between his two chosen charities.

To find out more about Walking The Courses and to donate, go to www.walkingthecourses.com.