The racing industry has brought plenty of Christmas cheer to children across Sydney this week with visits to the Sydney Children’s Hospital on Tuesday and Westmead Children’s Hospital on Friday.
Leading Friday’s visit included jockeys Belinda Smith, Andrew Adkins and ex-jockey Malcolm Fitzgerald, who commenced the annual initiative 28 years ago with racing photographer Steve Hart.
Belinda Smith, Mal Fitzgerald (Santa) and Andrew Adkins visit Westmead Children’s Hospital.
Hart and the NSW Jockeys Association led the Randwick Children’s hospital visit earlier in the week with Racing NSW and Fitzgerald covering Westmead.
This year marks the racing industry’s first visit to Westmead since the pandemic.
“We are thrilled to be able to visit the hospitals once again after being locked out in the last few years due to the pandemic,’’ Fitzgerald said.
“A great contribution from Racing NSW has helped us considerably and we have special thanks to Peter V’landys for also making it possible.
“Thanks to a generous discount that was arrange by Racing NSW we were able to purchase more toys from K-Mart Broadway which has brought smiles to many children’s faces.”
Other industry donors including jockeys, trainers, and a generous donation from Julie Hodder, have added to the capacity to bring some cheer to many sick children.
Dylan Gibbons (left), Tommy Berry (Santa), Molly Bourke and Reece Jones visiting Sydney Children’s Hospital (Pic: Steve Hart).
Among those who attended the Sydney Children’s Hospital were apprentices Dylan Gibbons and Molly Bourke, jockey Reece Jones while Tommy Berry donned the Santa suit.
Other helpers at the Westmead visit included Leah Logue, Madison, Chris and Izzy, along with Phillip O’Brien from Racing NSW and Jess O’Brien.
– Racing NSW
