Dear Friends,

I’ll climb on my horse, don’t know which one

Grit my teeth, grip my knees and pray I stay on

The venue? York Racecourse. The cause? Macmillan

I’ll be weighted of course, ‘cos I’m only a little ‘un!

 Riding 9 Furlongs, Novice boys and girls

Hard hats and breeches, no diamonds or pearls

I’m begging for money, quite shamelessly so

Like The Charge of The Light Brigade, we’ll be ready to go!

 We will train hard and fast, eat portions so small

But in my case eat cake, chocolate, ice cream and all

Dear Friends come and join us, have a bet on the horses

It’s all for Macmillan and their wonderful causes.

 Please bring your wallets and cheque books and purses

You can do this with ease with details below

My “Just-Giving” Page is ready to go.

Thank you for reading my desperate verses

PLEASE, PLEASE, DIG DEEP FOR THE MACMILLAN NURSES!

I was present at York Racecourse on 15 June 2013 watching the MACMILLAN CHARITY RACE and became inspired by my friend Polly Marr and the other participants and learning of their individual stories and their associations with MACMILLAN. I was quite simply humbled by their efforts.

I decided there and then to make it my goal to contribute to such a great worthwhile charity, whilst making a dream reality - to RACE RIDE !

Applying for the race was one thing but to be accepted was something else ! I should imagine taking part will be even more. I am not sure whether being told (at 56yrs of age) I am officially the oldest competitor in the race will bring added pressure or not, but to gallop (hopefully!!!) down The KnavesmIre in front of an anticpated large crowd is now the reality !

I am to be trained by RUTH CARR, one of the North's leading trainers and well respected former jockey herself - she has kindly agreed to take me under her wing. After weeks of work riding I hope Ruth can find me a suitable and forgiving horse. I am to attend the Doncaster Racing School for a "crash-course" ( I would prefer to keep the word "crash" out of anything for the foreseeable future ) and receive some expert tuition from former Champion jockey, Kevin Darley.

One thing is for sure that as I finally gallop down the straight in whatever position, I will surely have in heart and mind several of my deceased family members who all received the extraordinary compassionate care in their final days from MACMILLAN.

My target is £10,000.00p and I sincerely hope you can help in any way possible by donating anything you can to the great charity that is MACMIILLAN.