Racing day to support disability services

MEMBERS of the region’s disabled community and beyond are set to have a fun day at the races with registrations open for everyone to attend the upcoming local leg of the Great Chase Community Series at Morshead Park.

Delivered by Greyhound Racing Victoria and now in its 21st year, the event will so far see more than 130 people take to the track at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club on Monday to help raise funds for Victoria’s disabled communities.

Greyhound Racing Victoria chief executive Stuart Laing said the said the event will has offered people a fun day of racing while giving back to deserving organisations.

“The Great Chase has been running since 2003 and the initiative has seen Greyhound Racing Victoria and our clubs give about $800,000 to Victoria’s disability sector over those 21 years,” Mr Laing said.

“The community days are a special part of the concept, and Ballarat’s day on Monday is set to be one of the biggest this year, with over 135 people expected to attend from local disability support groups.

“It’s a great chance for our local greyhound racing clubs, like the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club, to give back to their communities and put on a free lunch and a day out for Ballarat’s disability sector.”

As well as the local event, venues at Sandown, Shepparton, Sale, Warragul, Geelong, Bendigo and Warrnambool, and Melbourne will each host their own Great Chase community day throughout this month and next.

The event has raised more than $750,000 for community organisations aimed at supporting Victoria’s disabled communities in delivering programs.

About 10 groups have already signed up to attend the free event which will include complimentary food and drink, engagement with retired greyhounds, and the opportunity to win prize money.

Delacombe-based disability support service West End Support Services will be represented on the day with a group of 41 people attending.

The upcoming event will be West End’s first time going to the Great Chase community day, according to team leader Pauline Ellis.

“We’re looking forward to a great day out, and good for the community to see what we do,” Ms Ellis said.

“We run Monday to Friday, 9am to 3.30pm with ages ranging from 18 to 82. We have a lot of activities in the center and out of the center. We’ve got a media room, rumpus room with pool tables, tennis court, lovely gardens, chickens.

“We work out a [activity] plan for the whole month and the day was recommended by McCallum [Disability Services and Community Connections], who have attended in the past.”

Each group attends the local race day is expected to share in about $3000 in prizemoney.