Superstar fundraiser chosen as Lingfield’s One In A Million Community Hero
Gary Kirton from Ashford was nominated for being ‘an inspiration to many’ after raising more than £300,000 for charities, over 30 years of fundraising
Gary’s achievements will be recognised on Saturday 21 January at the Winter Million Festival
Superstar fundraiser, Gary Kirton, has been chosen as Lingfield Park’s ‘One In A Million’ Community Hero. Chosen for his mammoth charity fundraising over 30 years, he’s raised more than £300,000 for charities, including walking 41 racecourses for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
Lingfield Park Racecourse launched the ‘One In A Million’ community hero competition to celebrate the inspiring individuals living in Kent and Surrey during the Winter Million Festival.
The racecourse asked the public to make nominations for the One In A Million community hero accolade by visiting the Lingfield Park website and submitting a short summary about their nomination’s achievements and how they’ve gone above and beyond to support the local community.
All nominees and nominators have been invited to attend the Winter Million Festival on Saturday 21 January. As the ‘One In A Million’ community hero, Gary has been awarded £1,500 to the charities of his choice and has selected the Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Pilgrims Hospice in Kent and has been invited into hospitality at the event.
A few words from Gary;
“I’ve been fundraising for over 30 years and have raised more than £300,000 for different charities. Big events I have been involved with have included celebrity football matches, the 2018 London Marathon alongside sportsman’s dinners for Peter Shilton & Frank Bruno. Lately, I’ve completed a UK Racecourse Tour; walking 41 courses for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. I currently work in the Pilgrims Hospice in Kent where I run Bingo nights each month and the first one helped raise over £1,000!
“I feel blessed winning the One In A Million competition and I’d like to dedicate this award to my wife, who has not only supported me but also has carried out many challenges for charity alongside me. I am so pleased I can Give Bob Champion Cancer Trust & Pilgrims Hospice a donation; both charities are close to my heart and I’d like to thank Arena Racing Company.“
The Winter Million festival takes place at Lingfield Park every January, and offers £1million worth of prize money across event, which features both jumps and all-weather racing.
For more information about The Winter Million Festival, as well as available tickets and hospitality, please visit www.lingfieldpark.co.uk.
Please note The Winter Million is now The Berkshire Winter Million taking place at Windsor Racecourse and Ascot.
