| Mascots kick-off The Football League’s support for hospice care |
  
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Football League club mascots last night went head-to-head at the Sunflower Sprint mascot race to kick off a season of fundraising for hospice care.
An array of dogs, ducks, bees and other furry characters from Football League clubs were pitted against one another in the 100m race. Mr Magpie from Notts County FC took the coveted title of ‘The Fastest Mascot’, with Burton Albion's Billy Brewer in second and Notts Forest's Robin Hood in third. Defending champion and bookies favourite Rammy the Ram had to make do with sixth!
The event, held at Uttoxeter Racecourse in Staffordshire, marked the official launch of the Football League’s partnership with Help the Hospices, the national charity for hospice care.
The partnership with Help the Hospices will give millions of Football League fans across England and Wales the chance to make a difference for people with terminal and life-limiting illnesses in their local community and their families.
Hospice care is free for everyone who needs it, but it is not free to provide. Every Football League club will raise vital funds for its local hospice during the 2011/12 season, helping seriously ill local people to live well until they die.
David Praill, chief executive of Help the Hospices, said:
“We are delighted to have the chance to work alongside The Football League this season, so that hospices across the UK can continue to care for 360,000 people every year – which could fill Wembley Stadium four times over. This is an exciting opportunity for local hospices to tell millions of football fans about their important work.”
Greg Clarke, Chairman of The Football League, added:
“Like Football League clubs, hospices operate at the heart of their local communities. This season, with the support of all 72 league clubs, hospices will continue to provide vital care for adults and children with life-limiting and terminal illnesses across England and Wales.”
Football League crowds topped 16 million last season; statistically half of those attending games will know someone who has been cared for by a hospice.
Race result
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Position
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Mascot name
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Football league club
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Local hospice supported by club
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1
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Mr Magpie
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Notts County
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Nottinghamshire Hospice
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2
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Billy Brewer
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Burton Albion
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St Giles Hospice
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3
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Robin Hood
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Nottingham Forest
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Nottinghamshire Hospice and Beaumond House Community Hospice
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4
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Boomer
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Port Vale
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Douglas Macmillan Hospice and Donna Louise Children’s Hospice
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5
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Roary The Lion
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Macclesfield Town
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East Chesire Hospice
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6
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Rammie the Ram (defending champion)
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Derby County
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Treetops Hospice and Rainbows Children’s Hospice
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7
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Kop Cat
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Leeds United
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St Gemma’s Hospice and Martin House Children’s Hospice
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8
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Edgar the Bull
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Hereford United
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St Michael’s Hospice
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9
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Nelson the Dog
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Portsmouth
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Rowans Hospice and Naomi House Children’s Hospice
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10
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Terry the Terrier
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Huddersfield Town
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Kirkwood Hospice
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11
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Bubbles
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West Ham United
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Richard House Children’s Hospice
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12
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Mrs Magpie
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Notts County
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Nottinghamshire Hospice
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13
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Swifty
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Walsall
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St Giles Walsall Hospice
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14
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Eddie the Eagle
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Colchester United
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St Helena Hospice and J’s Hospice
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15
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Mary Rose the Tudor Dog
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Portsmouth
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Rowans Hospice and Naomi House Children’s Hospice
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16
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Captain Blade
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Sheffield United
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St Luke’s Hospice and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice
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About Help the Hospices
Help the Hospices is the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK. The charity champions the very best care for everyone facing the end of life.
Representing and supporting its members, the charity works with hospices and other organisations as they strive to grow and improve hospice and palliative care throughout the UK and across the world.
It provides a wide range of training and education programmes and informative and practical resources for hospice staff, influences government policy and supports quality care and good practice.
Its fundraising programmes and campaigns support hospices to raise funds in ways that would otherwise not be open to them.
About The Football League
Help the Hospices was chosen as the Official Charity Partner of The Football League for the 2011/12 Season following a public vote on www.football-league.co.ukThis season, The Football League aims to raise £400,000 for hospice care. That’s enough to fund 3,000 home visits from a hospice nurse, to provide counselling for 2,000 bereaved families and to give 1,400 people the chance to spend a day with others facing similar situations.
Help The Hospices - 26 July 2011 |
