Press Releases
CITY’S IMP GOES FOR GOLD
24th September 2008
Aiming to attract more than 100 Football Club Mascots, Huntington Racecourse in Cambridgeshire will hold the 10th Annual Mascot Grand National on the afternoon of Sunday, 5th October 2008.
This madcap event, which gains a worldwide television and online audience for the crazy antics of the participants has enticed Gary Hutchinson, employee of Jackson Building Centre, the official sponsors of a top class restaurant at Lincoln City’s Football Club, to take part this year to raise funds for charity.
Upwards of 70 mascots from the length and breadth of the country step up their training as they prepare to run, walk, stagger and stumble over obstacles on a gruelling one-furlong – 220 yards – course.
Twenty nine year old Gary has been Lincoln’s Mascot as long as the John Smith’s Mascot Grand National has been attracting a worldwide audience. He took up the role of Lincoln City Football Club Mascot, ‘Poacher the Imp’ 10 years ago and has been dressing up every Saturday afternoon since.
Gary explains, “I’ll be raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, a cause that is close to my heart and extremely worthwhile. Earlier this year, I witnessed first hand the difference the Marie Curie nurses can make to someone’s final day, and I want to be able to given them something back.
“My Grandad, Cecil Muxlow was diagnosed with cancer in July 2007, just a month later it was confirmed as terminal. His wish was to spend his final hours and days at home, something that looked very unlikely as my Grandma isn’t in great health either. Sadly in February of 2008 he took a turn for the worse and passed away on Valentines Day”.
Gary went on to explain, “The Marie Curie nurses had attended him every day for a couple of weeks, looking after him and helping the various family members that visited cope with the grief as well. To witness the difference these people made to him, and how they helped people around him inspired me to raise as much money as I could for the charity”.
Gary added, “Cancer doesn’t just affect the sufferers it affects the loved ones too, the people left behind. My Grandad died in a degree of comfort, at home surrounded by people he loved and who loved him”.
Arsenal star and England’s hat trick hero Theo Walcott is promoting the event and is involved as an ambassador for the event’s official charity – the Willow Foundation which provides special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds. It is the only charity of its kind to provide young adults living with life threatening conditions a chance to escape the pressures of their daily routine and share quality time with family and/or friends.
The Willow Foundation, founded by former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper and TV presenter Bob Wilson OBE and his wife Megs after their daughter died of cancer aged 31, will be the beneficiary of fund raising around the John Smith’s Mascot Grand National.
Theo Walcott said, “The Willow Foundation helps people my age so what they do really means something to me. The Arsenal connection and the opportunity to work with a legend like Bob Wilson makes it extra special. I'm pleased to be helping make more special days possible".
Gary and his younger brother Paul, who will be dressed as ‘Mrs Poacher’, have been hunting for sponsors through friends, family and Jackson’s Building Centre colleagues for a cause close to their heart. The brothers hope to be two of the highest fundraisers on the day, which in turn will highlight the exceptional work of Marie Curie, their chosen charity.
Jackson Building Centres’ Marketing Manager, Colin Bartleet, said: “Gary, our Group Systems Trainer at the Lincoln branch, is an asset to Jacksons’ – being an avid Lincoln City Football Club supporter and mascot he has shown a great deal of determination to raise funds for his charity. We at Jackson Building Centres are keen to support him all the way to the winning line and wish him well in this years race”.