THE RACE TO MAKE A WISH COME TRUE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 2009

This month, Addington Raceway will play host to a race to make wishes come true for Kiwi kids with life-threatening illnesses.

The Harness Race Night held on October 16, is the brain-child of Nick and Robyn Boyle volunteers for Make-A-Wish in Southland.

The event, in it’s third year now, is a fundraiser for Make-A-Wish New Zealand with all proceeds going towards granting wishes for seriously ill children.

Robyn Boyle, event organiser, comments: “We are passionate about the great work Make-A-Wish do. Our son was granted a wish in 2001 and now this is our way of making sure other ill Kiwi kids get their wishes granted”.

This year’s event will see 10 sponsored races held throughout the night, with one horse in each race wearing the especially designed Make-A-Wish silks. Also on the night the Franklin Trotting Club have embraced the event with leading North Island driver, Peter Ferguson, wearing the Make-A-Wish colours for all his drives at their meeting at Alexandra Park. At Addington Raceway all races and tables are sold off, with all proceeds going to the charity.

In addition to the races, both a live and silent charity auction will be held. In previous years the race night and auctions have raised more than $70,000 – a massive boost in helping grant the wishes of children in the Canterbury region.

With a strong passion for harness racing, Mrs Boyle knew there would be a great amount of support for Make-A-Wish as those involved in the racing community are very generous, enthusiastic and supportive of both the charity and the work it does.

This event would of course not be possible without the support of its generous sponsors; Ian Dobson (Christian Cullen), Sims Pacific Metals, Resource Recycling Technologies NZ Ltd, Farringtons Tavern, Tradestaff, Nevele R Stud and The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club.

If you are interested in attending the Harness Race Night you can contact Make-A-Wish- events@makeawish.org.nz .Tickets are $100 per person or $1,000 for a table of 10 which includes four course meal and full beverage service.

ENDS