Central Park Stadium to host Fast Friends Fundraiser on Bank Holiday Monday

Fundraiser on Bank Holiday at Central Park

A helping paw will be offered to a Kent based greyhound homing charity on bank holiday Monday at a special family fundraising event hosted by Central Park Stadium. 

The Sittingbourne track will open its doors on May 4 for an afternoon of live racing, children’s entertainment and meet and greets in support of Retired Greyhounds Canterbury. 

Founded in 2020, the charity is managed entirely by volunteers who share walking, home check and fundraising responsibilities as part of a wider commitment to finding ex-racers their perfect, forever, home in retirement. 

A one-off human race and a chance to meet and greet a selection of retired racers plus face painting, children’s activities, a raffle and 12 live races will keep crowds entertained after doors open at 1pm. 

Among those trackside will be Retired Greyhounds Canterbury volunteer Phil Challans and his ex-racer Holly. “People come to Central Park every Saturday night to enjoy the thrill of live racing,” said Phil. 

“But a primary focus of ourselves – and the stadium – is to ensure each greyhound finds its forever home when its racing career ends. 

“Holly has been retired for two years now and, as is the case with all greyhounds, her favourite thing to do now is lounge around on the sofa for hours each day. Greyhounds are gentle, very loyal, fantastic with other dogs and children. 

“A lot of people misunderstand them by assuming they need lots of exercise, when in reality greyhounds are perhaps the most laid back breed of dog a person could wish to own. We’re looking forward to our fundraiser on May 4 and hope to see plenty of new and familiar faces trackside supporting a great cause.” 

The work of Retired Greyhounds Canterbury is supported by the Greyhound Retirement Scheme (GRS) – an initiative set up by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), the regulator for licensed greyhound racing. It helps with the costs associated with a greyhound’s retirement. 

As a GRS approved homing centre, Retired Greyhounds Canterbury receives a £420 bond for each racing greyhound it takes in – paid for by its owner and the GBGB – which goes towards kennelling, feeding and caring for the greyhound until a suitable home is found. 

In its first three years, the GBGB paid out more than £3.6million as part of the GRS to support its network of approved homing centres like Retired Greyhounds Canterbury. 

Dovile Skapciute, general manager at Central Park Stadium, added: “We’re so fortunate to work in partnership with several fantastic homing centres. 

“Retired Greyhounds Canterbury has its own shop onsite, and Holly is a personal favourite with our racegoers and the wider team when she visits. 

“Bank holiday Monday is the perfect opportunity for families yet to experience an afternoon of live racing to come along. We have a host of activities planned for all ages, and would love to see as many people as possible trackside in support of a great local cause.” 

Tickets for Central Park’s Fast Friends Fundraiser on Monday, May 4, are available online via www.centralpark-greyhounds.co.uk. Doors open at 1pm, with the first of 12 live races on the day off at 2.36pm.