Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.Macmillan Cancer Support are here to help you find your best way through from the moment of diagnosis, so you’re able to live life as fully as you can.Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs.

This year’s Macmillan Race of their Lives will be held on Saturday 15 June 2019. It offers a chance for twelve amateurs to enjoy the “ride of their lives” as they participate in a nine furlong horse race around the famous Knavesmire. Each rider pledges to raise at least £3000 to the charity, last year’s competitors contributed more that £110,000 to a cumulative total that has now exceeded £8 Million.

MY STORY
Sadly cancer touches everyone. On 16th November 2006 my father was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumourand given weeks to live, six weeks later he passed away at home, surrounded by his family, as he wanted and made possible by the help and support of Macmillan.

They also helped us and guided us through that difficult time. That’s one of the main reasons why I want to support the charity.

Over the past 18 months we have had a number of close friends who have been affected by and treated for cancer, giving me an even greater reason to take part in the race.

I am a farmer and worked alongside my dad on the family farm before opening the Cedarbarn Farm Shop & Cafe in Pickering 11 years ago with my wife Mandy. I have always been interested in horses and
racing and started breeding thoroughbreds when I was 17, I would have loved to have been a jockey but work got in the way.

I turned 55 and thought, if I don’t do it now I never will. I know you have to be incredibly fit so I have spent the last year training at Jack Berry House, personal training sessions with Paul Piercy in Malton as well as riding out before work 5 mornings a week at Brian Ellisons yard, running and a weekly pilates session and was over the moon when I found out that I had got a place in the race this year.

I'm seriously excited about the race, I am very competitive but my only worry is.... not to make a fool of myself! I know it is going to be incredibly hard work but "Bring it on, I am ready for the challenge” 

I have pledged to raise £10,000 for Macmillan Ride of their Lives, and have some great fundraising events coming up at the Cedarbarn including:

• Friday 15^th March - An Evening of Gin at Cedarbarn with McMillan’s of Malton
• Thursday 4^th April - Quiz Night at The Sun Inn, Westgate, Pickering and raffle.
• Thursday 11^th April - Ladies Day Pop Up Boutique. Fizz, Fundraising & Fabulous Finds.
• Friday 17^th May - Race Night at Cedarbarn including Aberdeen Angus Steak Pie Supper
• Sunday 19^th May - ‘Flower Power’ Plant Fair at Cedarbarn Miniature Railway.
  
• Friday 24^th May - Pop-Up Restaurant at the Cedarbarn with Yorkshire Celebrity Chef, Steph Moon (Great British Menu) & the amazing Mellow Cello
• Saturday 1^st June - Giant Family Fun Day with Ryedale Mumbler. Why not get a team together for our Huge Inflatable Assault Course & Mini Version for the Kids, Visiting Steam Trains with rides around the Cedarbarn Railway, Bucking Bronco, Bouncy Castle, Face painting, plus lots more other activities for all the family. Music, Bar, Food, Tombola & Raffle. 
• Sunday 9^th June - Giant Pilates in the Cedarbarn Garden with Wendy Harding

Thank you for your interest and support.

Kind regards, Karl