The horse, the celebrity and the charity

This is a dramatic increase from last year’s total of R550 000.

This Grade 2 race, which is being run on October 31, at Turffontein Racecourse, also boasts prize money of R1-m.

The Barrier Draw, which will be held at Emperors Palace, on October 21, will decide which of the 16 thoroughbreds will represent which of the 16 charities.

Then, 16 celebrities will also each be matched with a charity for the day.

The winning charity will receive R150 000, second place will receive R100 000 while all 14 other charities getting proportionate amounts of the total donation, depending on the allocated horse’s placement.

Last year saw the National Horse Trust receive a cheque for R100 000 when Bezanova, ridden by Weichong Marwing, raced to victory at the prestigious 2014 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile.

Mrs South Africa 2014, Sarah Kate Scott was the winning celebrity.

Some of the chosen charities for this year include:

* Lesedi Programme (Peermont Education Trust): The Peermont Education Trust offers deserving previously disadvantaged youth from Ekurhuleni an opportunity to study further through a a learnership programme at accredited institutions to enable them to become economically active.

The Trust also provides mentorship which includes life skills and emotional intelligence.

* “Izimbewu Ze Themba” – Grade R Project (Peermont Community Benefit Trust): Early Childhood Development and Grade R, in particular, prepare children for school while improving their capacity to develop life-long learning.

The objective of this project is to create a stimulating teaching and learning environment that will enable a greater number of learners to perform better throughout their schooling years, and ultimately increase the number of learners eligible to select Maths and Science in Grade 10.

By providing specialist training for Grade R practitioners in the classroom, the trustees are providing a specialised training model that enables the practitioners to learn the practical application without leaving the class.

* Peermont Children’s Trust (PCT): The Peermont Children’s Trust assists 10 schools in the Gauteng area by assisting with the provision of school uniforms ever year, daily hot meals for all learners, food parcels for the school holidays, building of jungle gyms, and an annual Christmas party. The majority of these schools are in very underprivileged areas with many children being orphaned and malnourished.

The trust also assists with aftercare programmes and assistance with homework which helps the learners to improve on their academic results and school attendance.

So come and support world class racing and charity!