A YORK-based charity has won £20,000 as part of its participation in the Ebor Festival.
Charity Next Door But One backed the winning horse at this year’s Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake and secured £20,000 to help its cause.
As reported by The Press previously, the Community Sweepstake is a joint initiative between York Racecourse and Sky Bet that hopes to reward local community groups and charities for their hard work.
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From more than 150 entries, 22 Yorkshire-based charities were selected before randomly being assigned a horse during a live TV draw. The race is then run as normal with the winning horses being awarded with a cash sum for its related cause.
In what proved to be a close race until the final stretch, race favourite Magical Zoe became first past the post, meaning Next Door But One scooped the £20,000 grand prize.
Second place went to West Yorkshire based The Clothing Bank with York-based Menfulness taking third, with each securing £5,000 and £2,000 respectively.
Next Door But One is an award-winning LGBTQ+ and disability-led theatre in York.
Its programme focuses on workshops and performances for and with members of the community with disabilities, mental ill health, unpaid carers, women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Speaking on the victory, Matt Harper-Hardcastle, CEO and Artistic Director of Next Door But One, said: “This is the first time I’ve ever been to the races, so the fact that we’ve come away with £20,000 for the charity is absolutely amazing.
“This donation has meant that we’ve already reached our funding target for the year, which will continue to be hugely beneficial into 2025. The donation received today will be used for our participatory arts programme for marginalised communities.
“For every £20 invested, we’re able to provide a whole year’s worth of free and inclusive arts engagement for one person, so this means we’re able to make a difference to so many.
“The whole team would like to thank York Racecourse and Sky Bet for their support, it really is a life-changing amount of money.”
James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at York Racecourse, added: “The Ebor always proves to be a very special event in our racing calendar, and 2024 proved no different as we saw Billy Lee ride to victory.
“Hosting the shortlisted good causes is always a pleasure, and we’re looking forward to following their journeys and see how they utilise the valuable donations they receive.”
Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Betting & Gaming, added: “A huge congratulations to Next Door But One, The Clothing Bank and Menfulness for placing in our community sweepstake.
“The Sky Bet Ebor Festival Community Sweepstake is an annual highlight for us, as we learn about all the amazing work that our charities and good causes support across Yorkshire. We hope that our donations for all of those shortlisted go a little or a long way in helping them continue their great work.”
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