Having huffed and puffed for more than 1200 kilometres The Long Trot team drew more than $18,000 in generous donations to help the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia pursue groundbreaking treatments.
The outstanding commitment, which included ambassadors Greg Sugars, Anthony Butt and David Aiken’s horses racing for more than 300km in September, was part of almost 200,000km covered and $1 million raised by the foundation’s The Long Run.
Harness Racing Victoria chief executive Matt Isaacs said it was terrific to see so many dig in for the cause.
“People involved in harness racing in Victoria have long been famous for rallying around a good cause, especially one like prostate cancer that has touched many within and around the industry,” Isaacs.
“It’s fantastic to see so many run so many kilometres and dig deep to support the foundation and the terrific work it does, which also reminds of the great value harness racing plays in giving back to the community.”
While the ambassadors proudly wore the silks to race wins, the biggest star of The Long Trot was Kate Gath, with the leading Victorian driver turned marathon runner covering an extraordinary 386km in September.
It was a feat that didn’t go unnoticed, with supporters donating $7721 to support Gath’s efforts, including $3000 from Catch A Wave’s owner Pauline Matthews. That contribution helped propel The Long Trot to the sixth most generous team in the fundraiser.
Gath was one of six runners joining The Long Trot cause, with Paul Campbell, Toby McKinnon, Cody Winnell, Nathan Cahir and Michael Howard also completing the distance, placing the Harness Racing Victoria team ninth overall for distance.
Anne Savage, CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, said they were “tremendously grateful for the support of the harness racing community”.
“We’ve come a long way with survival rates increasing to 95 per cent, but we will not stop until we defeat prostate cancer.”
The fundraising tally will only grow, with HRV co-ordinating a Collingwood jumper signed by the premiership winning players. The jumper will be auctioned as part of the Wagga Wagga Biggest Ever Blokes Lunch on November 10. Click for details.
