Six Cumbrian charities will benefit from Carlisle Racecourse’s Great Community Race Day this weekend.

Saturday’s event will see £1 from every ticket sold in advance go to the six local causes.

The charities set to benefit are BEE UNIQUE, Calvert Trust Lake District, Diff-Ability, Every Life Matters, Eden Animal Rescue and the Great North Air Ambulance Service.

It is the charity raceday’s third year with a six-race card on the agenda.

More than £3,000 was raised for the charities at last year’s event.

Racecourse general manager Helen Willis said: “Every fixture that we host is special for one reason or another, and the Great Community Race Day is no exception and an incredibly important date in our calendars.

“Saturday’s event gives us a chance to give back to so many of the wonderful organisations at work in and around the area. All of these charities are devoted to improving the lives of people and animals and without them many people would be a lot worse off.”

The raceday is sponsored by OEE Container Technology Limited, a Carlisle-based company run by husband and wife duo Susan and Bruce Jones.

“I’d like to thank Susan and Bruce for their continued support of Carlisle Racecourse and for providing such an amazing platform for all of these charities,” added Willis.

News and Star: Carlisle Racecourse general manager Helen WillisCarlisle Racecourse general manager Helen Willis (Image: Jockey Club)

“We know that everyone is going to have a great day and we are really looking forward to this special occasion.”

On the afternoon, representatives from the charities will also be collecting donations in the Lawn Marquee.

Racing gets under way at 6.22pm, with each of the races named after one of the charity partners.

Susan Jones, from the raceday’s sponsors, said: “As a business, OEE Container Technology Limited did well throughout the pandemic, and we saw this as an opportunity to give a little bit back and to give these charities some exposure.

“We decided we could sponsor the card throughout the day and give each of the races to a different charity, who would also benefit from exposure and fundraising on the day.

“We are fortunate to be in a position to be able to help and as long as the business is running well and we can afford it, it’s something we will continue to do.”

A live DJ set by Faithless will follow the racing.

For more details visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/carlisle