Obstacle challenge for racecourse staff after heart attack rescue
Fakenham Racecourse staff are taking part in a fundraising run as a sign of gratitude to an emergency charity that helped at a heart attack at the course this month.
Seven staff members and one director at the racecourse will be fundrasing for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) by completing an ‘Only the Brave’ challenge at Thetford Forest on Sunday, April 7.
‘Only the Brave’ sees participants take on either six or 10 miles of obstacles with plenty of mud in the way!
David Hunter, chief executive officer of the course, said the EAAA means a lot to people at Fakenham.
This is especially the case after a racegoer was transported to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital following a heart attack at the course on Monday, March 4.
He said: “It’s something we all feel strongly about with the importance of saving people’s lives through the EAAA.
“It could happen to anyone in the industry as was the case on March 4 when a racegoer had a heart attack just as the horses were going out for a race.
“They were stabilised and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich by the EAAA, so this challenge will be a perfect opportunity to promote the charity in return.”
Mr Hunter added he was delighted to hear the racegoer was discharged from hospital last Wednesday and hopefully won’t require any further heart surgery.
‘Only the Brave’ was promoted at the course last Friday through a ‘Fakenham staff fundraising run for Air Ambulance’ handicap steeplechase at 1.55pm. The race value was £14,000.
Dalia Courridge of the racecourse said: “There was another incident in the last 12 months when the EAAA assisted someone at our caravan site.
“Each mission costs £3,500 to £4,000, so it is important to raise money for the cause.
“Some members of our team have been training more than others. I feel very unprepared at the moment.
“It will be quite a challenge but we are looking forward to it.
“If we have to crawl through the mud and help someone in the team then we will as it’s all about raising money for a great cause at the end of the day.”
As well as offline donations, Dalia has set up a fundraising page on Just Giving which can be found at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fakenhamracecourse .
