Racing For Our Regions Series kicks off with Seymour fundraiser

Racing Victoria (RV), in partnership with Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and Seymour Racing Club, will host a special fundraising raceday at Seymour Racecourse this Friday, 20 February, raising vital funds for our first responders and charities supporting bushfire recovery across Victoria.

The rescheduled Seymour meeting will feature a dedicated fundraising event, the proceeds from which will be donated directly to the CFA & Brigades Donations Fund and the Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund. 

Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Clint Stanaway, formalities at the event will also serve as an opportunity to thank and celebrate the commitment and resilience of those who worked tirelessly on the front line to protect lives, property and local communities.

To compliment the fundraiser, CRV will host a precinct to bring together affected industry participants, volunteers and first responders in a show of solidarity following the devastating January bushfires which affected communities across Victoria.

Further fundraising initiatives on the day will include pledges, a silent auction and race sponsorship opportunities. 

The Seymour raceday forms the first part of the Racing For Our Regions series, which has been supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund.

Events at Alexandra, Towong and Kyneton will follow throughout March and each meeting is open to the broader community, with local racegoers encouraged to attend and support the cause, while those watching from home on Racing.com will also be able to show their support by donating via websites that will be shown on screen throughout the broadcast.

The Racing For Our Regions series highlights the important role country racing plays in supporting regional communities, particularly during times of hardship, and each raceday will showcase the spirit of community, recognition and generosity that typifies communities in regional Victoria.

Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said the event reflected the industry’s strong connection to regional Victoria and encouraged people to make their way to Seymour on 20 February to show their support. 

“Racing has a unique ability to bring people together, and days like this demonstrate how our sport can play a positive role both on and off the track,” he said.

“Country racing is deeply embedded in regional communities, and when those communities are hurting, the racing industry feels it too.

“This event at Seymour is about raising much-needed funds for bushfire recovery, but it’s also about acknowledging the courage and dedication shown by volunteers and first responders who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, both human and equine.

“We’re proud to stand alongside our first responders and the organisations supporting recovery efforts, and to help shine a light on the incredible work being done across Victoria.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines:

“Country racing has always been at the heart of regional Victoria, and events like this show how strongly the industry stands with communities doing it tough.

“This raceday is an important opportunity to acknowledge the incredible resilience shown during the January bushfires and to support the volunteers and first responders who protect our state.”