With a life size replica Typhoon, Challenger II tank, rolling rock climbing wall, weapons stand, Tri Service recruiting vehicles, a CVR (T) and six races at Exeter Racecourse on Sunday (November 20) organizers are hoping British Armed Forces Raceday will be a sell out.
The raceday is being held in aid of Help for Heroes and dozens of companies have supported it by donating a myriad of raffle and silent auction prizes including two free flights from Easyjet, a day at Land Rover headquarters including lunch for four and off road driving and a rocking horse from the Early Learning Centre.
The raceday is free to all pre-booked military service personnel and Royal British Legion members with each free entry entitled to pre-book a guest for half price (more details at www.exeter-racecourse or call 01392 832599 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01392 832599 end_of_the_skype_highlighting). Children aged 17 and under race free. £1 of every ticket sold will be donated to the charity as well as a percentage of food and beverage sales.
Racegoes can enjoy the military assets from 11am and then a brief service and blessing will take place in the paddock at 11.30am by the Archdeacon of Totnes (The Ven John Rawlings) who is a former Royal Naval Chaplain.
Just before noon, mascots, including Tommy Bear, Pilgrim Pete and Burts Chip, will be paraded in the paddock before they take part in a race down the home straight. Any bets taken will be donated to Help For Heroes.
BFPS will be present so that families can send messages to their loved ones overseas and there’s a free goody bag for the first 300 children through the gate.
Exeter’s general manager Alice Everitt said: “It’s been a huge effort by a lot of people to put on the day, not least Exeter’s Tri Service representatives and Flt Lt Tracey Parrott who has put in an awful lot of ground work.
“We’re hopeful a lot of people will turn up, enjoy the racing plus all the other activities we have as well as support our military service personnel too. The aim of the day is to both show our appreciation of British Armed Forces while raising as much money as we can for Help for Heroes too.”
