Jarrow businessman aims to boost air ambulance funds with race day

Tom Robson aims to use the Sedgefield Racecourse Ladies Evening to raise cash for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

The businessman, who runs Roflow, an environmental engineering firm in Jarrow, has become one of the biggest supporters of the charity.

Last year, he donated £10,600 to the cause and next week he will take over a suite at the County Durham course for the duration of the evening.

Mr Robson, who began supporting the charity after his dying mum was airlifted to hospital, giving him precious time to say goodbye, said: “I’m buzzing to be helping GNAAS again. I’ve seen first-hand why it needs our support.

“Sedgefield Racecourse Ladies Evening is always a good party and I’m looking forward to welcoming guests to the GNAAS suite.”

The event on Thursday will include entertainment within the suite from singer Lorraine Crosby, a former contestant on The Voice who also featured on Meatloaf’s I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) while Vernon Kaye will DJ the after party for all racecourse guests following the racing.

An overnight stay and champagne dinner at Langley Castle is the top prize in the raffle.

All of the money raised will go to support GNAAS, which operates three helicopters across the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

Grahame Pickering, chief executive at GNAAS, described Mr Robson as “one of the biggest single supporters in the charity’s history”.

He added: “Tom is not only a great supporter of the charity but a great ambassador too. The money he has raised has done so much good in the region, and we’d like to thank him for once again thinking of the charity.”

Tables in the charity suite have almost sold out.

For information visit www.sedgefield-racecourse.co.uk. The price is £70 per guest.

Tickets for other enclosures are still available from £10. Gates open at 3pm.