Lynn Moffatt and Andrea Ward, Macmillan Nurses at York and Scarborough NHS Trust enjoyed a day at the races as VIP guests of York Racecourse and Macmillan Cancer Support. The nurses who attended the sell-out raceday on Saturday 12 June enjoyed lunch with the York Race Committee, with guests including Macmillan’s Chief Executive Lynda Thomas, in recognition of their work over the past year. 

Macmillan’s Charity Raceday on 12 June raised over £150,000 for the charity, a staggering sum in the circumstances.  This includes fundraising contributions from raceday sponsors, a silent auction, generous donors, supporters and York Racecourse itself.  This result means that £9 million has been raised over the 50 years partnership between York and Macmillan – Britain’s oldest and most successful charity raceday. This year marked the fiftieth staging of the partnership between Macmillan and York Racecourse. Given current Government protocols the nurses were amongst 4,000 spectators, who had a fantastic afternoon in the sunshine.

Lynn Moffatt from Clifton, has been a Macmillan Nurse for 23 years, she was the first Macmillan nurse at York Hospital, she said:  

“I had an amazing day, what a treat after the last 18 months, it was great to be back at York Racecourse.

“It was an absolute honour to be invited to attend Macmillan’s Charity Raceday, it felt like a breath of fresh air being able to do something like normality again.

“It’s fabulous to know that Macmillan’s Charity Raceday raised much needed funds, it will make a massive difference to people living with cancer and is needed now, more than ever.” 

Macmillan lost over £1 million in Yorkshire alone last year, as events like their charity raceday were cancelled or postponed because of the pandemic. There are currently 179,000 people living with cancer across Yorkshire and recent Macmillan analysis also suggests tens of thousands of people across the UK are missing a cancer diagnosis they would otherwise have received, because of the impact of the pandemic. 

Andrea Ward from Malton is the Macmillan Breast Care Nurse Specialist Team Leader, she said:

“I’ve been a Macmillan nurse for 20 years and there’s never been a worse time to be diagnosed with cancer, patients are feeling a lot of worry and anxiety associated with the pandemic, we know first hand the difference Macmillan funding makes and it’s great to know events like this are starting up again and raising much needed money.

“After such a challenging time for everyone it’s fantastic to be dressed up and enjoying a day at the races, I want to say a massive thank you to Macmillan and York Racecourse.”

Andrea and Lynn were two of six Macmillan professionals invited from across Yorkshire to attend the raceday, all six healthcare professionals were invited by Sky Bet to award the trophy to winning jockey Tom Marquand, the rider of Roberto Escobarr in the Sky Bet Race to the Ebor Grand Cup, the highest rated contest of the day.

Bridget Guerin, Chairman of York Race Committee, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome the Macmillan nurses to what continued to be a fabulous raceday where it felt for the first time, in a long time, like life was starting to return to some sort of enjoyable normality. 

“We were delighted to collectively raise a sum of over £150,000 for the valuable work that Macmillan does for all those living with cancer.  York is proud to have a partnership with Macmillan stretching back 50 years during which £9 million has been raised. 

“Our thanks to all our supporters and racegoers who have achieved this truly remarkable sum. Our sincere hope is that for next year’s Macmillan Charity Raceday on Saturday 11 June 2022 everyone can join us for a wonderful celebration of what has been achieved.”

Macmillan Charity Raceday would normally feature the Ernest Cooper Macmillan Ride of Their Lives, the twelve-person amateur race has been moved to Friday 24 September 2021 as a one off so the riders have some extra time to both get fit and fundraise - you can support your favourite by visiting their Justgiving pages;  https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/macmillan/macmillanraceday2020

Spectators can book their badges to cheer them on in the race, which will take place on the afternoon of Macmillan’s Coffee Morning, at the York Racecourse Website; www.yorkracecourse.co.uk. 

Anyone in need of cancer support can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, which is open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm, or visit Macmillan’s Online Community.