Sue Ryder Mascot Gold Cup receives major boost as recruitment commences for 2014 spectacular

BROMLEY, U.K. - March 6, 2014 - PRLog -- The annual recruitment of mascots to the world’s largest Mascot Race at Wetherby Races has begun with the announcement of a three year main sponsorship deal with international financial services organisation Foresters.

Foresters have been main sponsors of the event since 2009 and have recently signed up to be main sponsors for a further three years including the 2014 event on 13^th April.

The event which is always a favourite amongst the ‘Family day’ crowd at Wetherby was first run in 2006 since when it has raised over £110,000 for good causes with the Lion’s share going to national healthcare charity Sue Ryder who organise the event.

Andrew Wood who came up with the idea is still involved with organising the event and is delighted to have secured a three year sponsorship deal for the race.  He said, this sponsorship allows us to think long term and hopefully grow the race even larger than ever.”

Steve Dilworth, Managing Director, Member Network UK, Foresters is looking forward to the 2014 event.  He said, “Foresters are proud to be able to sponsor the Mascot Gold Cup and provide further support through our member volunteers, who are a great help with fundraising and organising on the day of the event.

“The Mascot Race at Wetherby is always full of fun, and it is wonderful to see so many participants and families out enjoying themselves in aid of such a great cause.  We are very much looking forward to the race in 2014 and seeing the mascots battle it out in a bid to win the race and help raise much-needed funds for Sue Ryder and the multiple other charities the race supports.”

Last year’s race was the most exciting ever with a close finish, a field of 90 mascots, a high number of fallers and a touch of controversy. Footage of the race can be seen at http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/20....  As is tradition a Mascot Parade will take place prior to the race itself as punters study the form of the cuddly characters and bet on them.

Presentations are also made at this time to the mascot judged as ‘Best in Parade’ and the best on the day’s theme of the Tour de France Grand depart Yorkshire 2014.

Also returning is the hilarious ‘One Minute Mascot Aerobic Warm Up’ and the ‘Mascot of the Year’ sponsored by JCT600 will also be presented to a mascot that has done great work in their community.

At approximately 2:35pm fur will fly as mascots go for glory down the final furlong in front of the grandstands.  Mascots are subjected to a handicapping system dependant on their size and en route to the finish line must hurdle, jump or fall over 6 fences.

For more information go to http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/2014/April/Register-for-the-Mascot-Gold-Cup-2014. For more information on how to enter or how to nominate a mascot for the ‘Mascot of the Year’ award or to find which mascots from your area are taking part contact Andrew Wood by email: andrew.wood@sueryder.org.