Racegoers dig deep at Retired Greyhounds Canterbury fundraiser
There was a meeting held for Fast Friends Fundraiser in aid of Retired Greyhounds Canterbury at Central Park on Bank Holiday Monday.
Fast Friends Fundraiser at Central Park
Generous racegoers showed their support to a local greyhound homing charity on Bank Holiday Monday at Central Park Stadium to help ex-racers find their forever sofas.
The Sittingbourne track opened its doors for its Fast Friends Fundraiser in aid of Retired Greyhounds Canterbury, a registered charity which works with the stadium to find greyhounds homes when they retire from racing.
A human race won by Spiderman which featured staff and volunteers from the charity kept crowds entertained, in addition to 12 live races plus face painting, games and a raffle.
There was also a chance for visitors to get up close and personal with the dogs and learn more about the requirements of owning a retired racing greyhound as a pet, with 10 ex-racers greeting racegoers as they arrived.
It’s the first in a series of showcase fixtures at Central Park between now and the end of June.
The track will host its first 80s night on Saturday, May 30, before all eyes turn to the £12,500 Arena Racing Company Kent Silver Salver – the UK’s most prestigious sprint competition – on Saturday, June 27.
Dovile Skapciute, general manager at Central Park Stadium, said: “There was a real feel-good factor trackside on Monday at our Fast Friends Fundraiser.
“I think it’s easy for people to assume as a venue we are focused entirely on the racing operation, which isn’t the case at all.
“We take homing very seriously and are fortunate to work closely in partnership with several homing charities such as Retired Greyhounds Canterbury to ensure ex-racers find their perfect, forever, home in retirement.
“Volunteers are present at almost all of our Saturday fixtures, so we were pleased to dedicate Monday’s event to their extraordinary work and hope it helped raise the profile of how wonderful retired greyhounds are as pets.”
Founded in 2020, Retired Greyhounds Canterbury is managed entirely by volunteers who share walking, home check and fundraising responsibilities.
Phil Challans is a regular volunteer with the charity. He said: “Greyhounds love to lounge around on the sofa for hours each day.
“They’re gentle, very loyal, and are 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 thank everyone who supported Monday’s fundraiser, and encourage anyone considering bringing a four-legged friend into their home to consider homing a retired greyhound.”
Further information about Retired Greyhounds Canterbury is available online via www.retiredgreyhoundscanterbury.co.uk.
Racing meanwhile continues at Central Park Stadium on Saturday nights through the summer, with doors opening at 4.30pm and racing starting an hour later.
