Charity Mile race returns to help charities
The 10th edition of the PEPCM will see 16 of South Africa's top celebrities heading south of Joburg to glam things up, all in the name of charity.
Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile (PEPCM), together with Racing, will once again drive a charitable cause through the sport of horse racing.
The PEPCM race is one of the most poignant occasions on the racing calendar and the date set for this enthralling, annual premier race is Saturday, November 1.
Turffontein Racecourse will host the PEPCM race-day, which has grown to be a star-studded affair.
The 10th edition of the PEPCM will see 16 of South Africa’s top celebrities heading south of Joburg to glam things up, all in the name of charity.
How the PEPCM works: 16 thoroughbreds will be picked at the Barrier Draw event held at Emperors Palace on October 22 to represent 16 charities.
On Saturday, November 1, the qualifying horses will race in the interests of charity and their finishing place will determine how much each charity takes home out of the allocated R550 000.
Adding charm to the occasion is the element of each runner being publicly represented by a celebrity and a media partner.
To be part of the action, head down to Turffontein Racecourse where you can catch a glimpse of your favourite local stars.
Gates open at 11am and entry is free.
A children’s play area and a live tribute show to the Bee Gees will be on offer throughout the day.
Call Agnes on 011 681 1702 for bookings.
Charity Mile beneficiaries
The National Horse Trust is one of the 16 charities which will benefit from the PEPCM.
The R600, 000 Grade 2 events over 1 600 metres is a normal race in terms of the stake distribution for the horses’ owners, trainers and jockeys.
However, each of the 16 horses in the field will also run for a charity. A total of R550, 000 is shared between the charities affiliated to the runners, whose finishing positions determine how much each will take home. The charity tied to the winner will receive R100 000 down to R20 000, for the charities represented by the last five horses past the post.
The other charities chosen as beneficiaries are nine after-care centres, run by the Peermont Children’s Trust, which are safe havens for school children in some of the poorest areas in Gauteng, providing meals following a menu provided by the Department of Health and Social Development. These centres also hand out holiday food parcels, uniforms and help with homework as well as providing libraries and play areas.
The Peermont Education Trust – Lesedi Programme; the Peermont School Support Programme; Star Schools; the Animal Anti-Cruelty League; San Michele Home and Izanokhanyo Community Based Project are some of the listed beneficiaries.
The National Horse Trust was established by the horse racing industry in 1989 to take care of thoroughbreds once their racing careers were over.
It has established four Horse Care Units around the country and these have evolved to include the care of all breeds of horses as well as donkeys.
The Trust has also evolved and is now the fundraising body for these Horse Care Units.
The nine Peermont Children’s Trust after-care centres are Welamlambo in Tembisa, Reahile in Katlehong, Umkhathize in Thokoza, Fortune Kunene in Vosloorus, Jongifundo in Vosloorus, Nageng in Vosloorus, Khangezile in KwaThema and Thembakazi in Vosloorus.
