A signed Tiger Roll Aintree Grand National saddle cloth was among the items of racing memorabilia auctioned off to make €50,000 for Feed The Heroes.
'Feed The Heroes' is as an initiative started by Cian O'Flaherty who set up a GoFundMe page to raise money in order to provide nutritious meals to staff working on the frontline amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Ireland.
An incredible €850,000 has been raised, at the time of writing, and today Horse Racing Ireland HRI confirmed that their auction has helped raise a huge amount to contribute to the fund.
"An online auction of racing items and memorabilia donated by the Irish racing and breeding industry, has helped raise €50,000 for the Feed The Heroes organisation," reads the HRI statement.
"The auction, promoted and managed by HRI, raised €31,158 for Feed The Heroes, a not-for-profit voluntary organisation set up to fundraise to feed frontline hospital and emergency workers dealing with the Covid-19 health emergency.
"A Horse Racing Ireland donation helped make the final total of €50,000.
"The top lot was a Tiger Roll Aintree Grand National saddle cloth signed by Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott, which raised €4,100.
"The 36 auction lots included a Galway Festival course walk with Ruby Walsh, corporate hospitality at Longines Irish Champions Weekend, signed Al Boum Photo silks and a yard visit to Ger Lyons."
HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh added: "I would like to thank everyone for donating so generously."
"It is really heartening to see how the Irish racing and breeding industry has come together to support our online auction to raise money for Feed The Heroes.
"In these uncertain and worrying times, it’s brilliant to see such positivity and unity by everyone to support the amazing work of the frontline staff.
"Horse Racing Ireland is delighted to top up the money raised to €50,000 and we hope this donation can, in some small way, give practical support to all the nurses, doctors and carers on the Covid-19 frontline to whom we are eternally grateful."
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