Funeral home horses around for charity

Football teams in Whitchurch are one step closer to the light as a charity race night raised £1,145 for the cause.

Hosted by Southern Co-op’s funeral home in Whitchurch, more than 80 people turned up to the race night on 28 July.

The fundraiser was held in aid of Longmeadow Sports and Social Club to raise money for new training lights for the local football teams.

Jessie Chamberlain and Denise Meaden, Southern Co-op Funeral Co-ordinators in Whitchurch, said: “There was excellent support on the night with everyone enjoying the excitement of the races.

“We were really impressed with the turnout and it meant that the event had an excellent atmosphere. The races may not have been live but a lot of us felt like we were there at the side of the track.

“By the end we were on an amazing high. Raising so much money for our local club means a lot to us. We are proud to be part of our local community.”

On the night, punters paid to become the sponsor of a horse for each race before a real life race was played out on the big screen.

There was also a chance to get porky as the big finale was none other than a pig race.

Although the pigs were not running live, the bidding to become the owner of each pig was feverish with £150 being paid in total.

With each race, the owner or sponsor of the winning animal received the race’s prize.

There was also a raffle which raised extra funds for the special cause.

Click here to find out more about Southern Co-op’s commitment to the local community.