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Willow Burn Wisp...the first Charity racehorse

Willow Burn Wisp the First Racehorse to run for Charity

Willow Burn has a fabulous new four legged fundraiser, Willow Burn Wisp.  She is a 2 year old filly and  will run for Willow Burn after being gifted for the season by her trainer Mark Johnston, the highly successful Middleham, Yorkshire based trainer.  This gift means the filly has no direct cost implications for the charity

One of the key local supporters of Willow Burn is Ian Harland of Harland Consulting and as a close colleague of Mark’s, they conceived this imaginative way of supporting Willow Burn.  Willow Burn Wisp will run in the charity’s green and white colours, or silks, in the 2010 flat season. Mark Johnston chose Willow Burn as he recognised the importance of the work they do for their local community.  He explained, “I’m really pleased that we can support the charity in this way, especially as supporters will have the chance to watch Willow Burn Wisp run, and hopefully win, at local race meetings.”

Anyone who wants to support her can follow Willow Burn Wisp’s achievements on her own facebook page: click here to visit Willow Burn Wisp on facebook or her twitter page: twitter.com/WillowBurnWisp and can make a donation towards the £50,000 target on her justgiving page: www.justgiving.com/WillowBurnWisp

Susan Jones, Corporate and Capital Fundraising Manager for Willow Burn comments, “I believe we are the first charity to have a racehorse to run solely for our benefit and this demonstrates not only the generosity of Mark Johnston, but also the imaginative way Willow Burn works with its supporters”

The partnership between Mark Johnston Racing and Willow Burn will act as a beacon of imagination and commitment to others seeking inspirational fundraising ideas.

Susan Jones comments, “Willow Burn offers palliative care services to anyone in Derwentside completely free of charge.  Willow Burn Wisp will help us continue to do this as well as build for the future by raising our profile and hitting our target of £50,000.”

To see how you could be involved in a partnership contact Susan Jones: sjones@willow-burn.co.uk or 07590 850213