Racing benefit to RDA

An impressive $13,200 raised at this year’s The Star $3M Stradbroke Ladbrokes Calcutta at the spectacular Rivershed at Howard Smith Wharves has been donated to Samford RDA!

A few days after the event, Michael Costello and Sarah Lupton from Samford RDA (centre) accepted a giant ‘cheque’ from BRC representatives, Bart Sinclair, Richard Morrison and Nikki Longhurst.

Held in June, the event was a social highlight of Stradbroke Season, Queensland’s premier racing carnival. Guests enjoyed a night of entertainment and fine food and threw their support behind the event’s fund-raising initiative. They purchased raffle tickets for a chance to draw one of the Stradbroke runners, before each runner was auctioned off; and heard from several special guest speakers including retired jockeys Damien Oliver and Glen Boss.

Our President Michael Costello, thanked the Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) for selecting Samford RDA as the beneficiary of this year’s Calcutta. This much-appreciated financial gift will be used to support our work which uses horses (including at times, retired racehorses and pacers) to provide both physical and intellectual benefits to children and adults with a disability.

“We are very grateful to have been the Charity Partner at the Calcutta and for the opportunity to strengthen our ties with the Brisbane Racing Club,” Michael said. “Like RDA, the BRC Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the community, and it contributes enormously to the work of charities across the State.”

The Vice-Chairman of BRC, Richard Morrison, told guests at the function: "I have seen firsthand the difference RDA makes to participants' lives. I would challenge anyone to visit the Samford RDA and not be moved by the positivity and happiness the experience brings to those affected with a disability. We are proud to have had a successful night at the Ladbrokes Calcutta and to support Samford RDA.”

Giaan Smith and Sarah Lupton represented Samford RDA at the Calcutta. They are pictured with Richard Morrison, the Vice-Chairman of Brisbane Racing Club.