Ffos Las Racecourse news: Tens of thousands of pounds to be raised for miners appeal fund

Wednesday 5 October: Tens of thousands of pounds are to be donated to the Swansea Valley Miners Appeal Fund from two days of horse racing at Ffos Las Racecourse.

The fund is to support the families of the victims of last month's Gleision mining tragedy who need help to survive and recover in the future.

The appeal has already raised over £200,000 - and the Carmarthenshire racecourse hopes to add much more to the total.

The fixtures dedicated to the appeal fund are on Friday 4 and Sunday 6 November when musical entertainment is planned for visitors alongside two afternoons of horse racing.

The initiative is from a racecourse that was developed by Welsh businessman Dai Walters, whose father was a coal miner.

A percentage of earnings from raceday admissions, sponsorships and hospitality - as well as raffles and auctions over the two days - will be given to the appeal fund.

The racecourse has already raised £25,000 through donations ahead of the two days.  With auction items valued at over £20,000, plus a percentage of admission money, the racecourse hopes to build greatly on that initial figure.

Dai Walters said: "Ffos Las is at the heart of the communities of south west Wales which have been so affected by the terrible mining tragedy, so we are determined to do our utmost to help the families of the miners.

"I am sure that our visitors and supporters will be most generous as we do what we can to ease the blow to those who lost loved ones."

There is post-racing entertainment on Sunday 6 November, with a performance from the Three Welsh Tenors - Rhys Meirion, Aled Hall and Alun Rhys-Jenkins - and by singer Sian Cothi.

Friday 4 November is the finale to the 2011 Flat racing season at Ffos Las, while it is a jump racing day on Sunday 6 November.  Advance admission costs £16, while on-the-day admission is £18.  Accompanied under 16s are admitted free of charge.

Special offer: £22 - admission, carvery roll or vegetarian option, racecard and pint of beer/lager/cider or glass of wine.  For £2 more (£24), a Bet Boosted Booklet is added.

The first race time on both days is 1pm.

More information is available at ffoslasracecourse.com where tickets can be bought.

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For further information, please contact:
Tim Long, General Manager and Clerk of the Course, at Ffos Las Racecourse, on 01554 811092