The MacMillan charity is a very worth while cause.  Cancer touches us all and the MacMillan nurses are a God send at a very difficult time so go on get your hand in your pocket – it’s so easy to donate by text  – no excuses!

– Ruth

“Hi,

My name is Froot Atkins and I am married to Mick (owner at Ruth’s, Horse Racing Photographer and Sweepstake Organizer). I was present at York Racecourse on 15 June 2013 watching the MACMILLAN CHARITY RACE and became inspired by my friend Polly Marr and the other participants and learning of their individual stories and their associations with MACMILLAN. I was quite simply humbled by their efforts.

I decided there and then to make it my goal to contribute to such a great worthwhile charity, whilst making a dream reality – to RACE RIDE !

Applying for the race was one thing but to be accepted was something else ! I should imagine taking part will be even more. I am not sure whether being told (at 56yrs of age) I am officially the oldest competitor in the race will bring added pressure or not, but to gallop (hopefully!!!) down The Knavesmire in front of an anticipated large crowd is now the reality !

Ruth (Carr) has kindly agreed to take me under her wing. I am riding work every week, sometimes five lots and after many more weeks of work riding I hope Ruth can find me a suitable and forgiving horse. I am to attend the Doncaster Racing School for a “crash-course” ( I would prefer to keep the word “crash” out of anything for the foreseeable future ) and receive some expert tuition from former Champion jockey, Kevin Darley. Jimmy Sullivan, Gemma Docherty and Ryan Colley are teaching me all they know and up to now keeping me safe on the gallops. They are such a help and are superb riders!

One thing is for sure that as I finally gallop down the straight in whatever position, I will surely have in heart and mind several of my deceased family members who all received the extraordinary compassionate care in their final days from MACMILLAN.

My target is £10,000.00p and I sincerely hope you can help in any way possible by donating anything you can to the great charity that is MACMIILLAN.

You can donate in the following ways :-

• By visiting my JustGiving website at www.justgiving.com/Froot-Atkins1 and donating on-line

• Text Donations can be made to Text Number 70070 – then insert the code CARR95 followed by the amount (i.e. £5). This is a secure method of payment.

Apart from asking for donations I really do need all the support I can muster. I am up against a Darley, a Dobbin, a Fahey and a Dobson (recognise a few racing names???). It would be great to see any of you at York on 14 June 2014 cheering me on and supporting the stable and the Charity.

Thank you for your time and thank you for your kindness and generosity.

Best Regards,

Froot Atkins“

Photos kindly provided by:-

MICK ATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY
THE ELMS
GOODMANHAM
YORK
EAST YORKSHIRE
YO43 3HX

web: www.mickatkins.com

e-mail : ruth@ruthcarrracing.co.uk

tel : 07764 160600