Market Rasen Racecourse has announced that a local mental health charity will return as its charity partner for its racedays throughout 2027. 

The Gardiner Hill Foundation provides support for local people who are struggling with their mental health in North East Lincolnshire, and will once again link up with the racecourse, after raising close to £12,000 with their last partnership in 2023. 

The collaboration will see the foundation have a presence at all 21 of Market Rasen’s fixtures in 2027, with exclusive rights to hold charity bucket collections across the year. 

On top of this, the charity will feature in racecards and in-house screens on race days, while it will take title sponsorship of the course’s Family Extravaganza Raceday on Sunday 4th July. 

The charity relies solely on donations to be able to deliver its very valuable work, and it could not hide its delight at being able to once again link-up with its local racecourse.

Jane Lewington, Chair of the Gardiner Hill Foundation, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have the chance to work with Market Rasen Racecourse again. 

“Our charity works with social care bodies Nurtrio and Navigo to support people with mental health issues in North East Lincolnshire. We only provide small grants, up to £250 for any one person, but anyone can apply for them and we will look at anything. 

“We are very keen on supporting people who are trying to get back into education, training or work, but we’re happy to provide anything that helps someone get back into the throw of things and to stop feeling isolated.

“We had some lovely conversations with people who have had problems with their mental health in the past, or had supported a friend or family member, and partnerships like this are the perfect way to reach the people who need our help the most.

“We provide around £15,000 worth of grants each year to people in the local area who need our help, so it would be great if we could once again achieve that target through the racecourse. 

“A key stream will be our sponsorship day. We’re looking for seven sponsors, so if you’d like to support us, please do get in touch!”

Alice Cosgrove, General Manager and Clerk of the Course at Market Rasen, added: “It’s so lovely to be able to welcome back the Gardiner Hill Foundation as our charity partner for 2027. 

“The Foundation was established to enhance and enrich the lives of people experiencing mental health problems and here at Market Rasen we are passionate about giving back to the local community. We are also acutely aware how tough the climate is financially for everyone at the moment, let alone charities that are reliant on the generosity of people, so it’s great to play our part. 

“Horseracing is an incredibly generous community and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to help such a worthy cause over the next 12 months.”