Going to the Dogs

On Friday evening of the 18th March, Northampton Rotary Club members and friends finally went to the Dogs.  We’ve suspected for a long time this was going to happen!

With his usual aplomb and determination, Gary Shaeffer, with assistance from the Satellite Group, organised an excellent fund raising event at Towcester Racecourse in support of the End Polio Now campaign.

Approximately 85 Rotarians and friends gathered in the Pomfret Suite in the Grace Stand to enjoy an evening of greyhound racing.  Yes folks, real dogs!  It was a cash bar but the ticket price bought a tasty hot supper, a race booklet and a free bet. Inside the suite we could watch the excitement of each race on numerous closed circuit TV screens. There was also an outside balcony that the races could be viewed from – possibly all of three people braved the chilly evening for a better view.

During the evening our best “media tarts” (Brian’s description!) were interviewed at the track side. Clive was first up, followed later by Gary and Brian wearing his End Polio Now jacket, from his recent visit to India supporting the cause. What a pity it wasn’t a “real” TV broadcast as all the interviews were excellent.

There was a lot of fun and excitement througn addition, a bottle of wine went to the table which won the most free bet races durihout the evening, particularly from some of the ladies who got a little over excited when their dog was winning! There were other means of winning as well as placing normal bets. There were, of course, the free bets and, ing the evening. We also held a very successful raffle and, to our surprise and delight, the Racecourse made a donation of £250 – more than they had originally indicated.

All together the evening raised a magnificent £2000+.

Everyone seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the best part of it all was, about half the people who attended were non-Rotarians! There’s a turn up for the book(ie)!

Aileen Stephens