Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Chase for Charity promotion with Croc Media has been a runaway success with more than $30,000 raised for charity.
The Chase For Charity concept pits Craig Hutchison, Liam Pickering and Dr Turf in a competition to see who can raise the most for their nominated charity, according to their weekly greyhound racing bets on Croc Media’s Off The Bench radio program.
Football media personality Hutchison has raised more than $10,000 for his nominated charity Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia and visited the house earlier this week to meet Fitz Tate, a brindle dog who raised $728 for the cause after a recent win at Bendigo.
Also in attendance was Fitz Tate’s owner, Maurice Fitzpatrick and 14-year-old Connor Clarke who has been using Ronald McDonald House’s facilities as he embarks on a brave battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Hutchison said he was chuffed to see that his bets could end up benefitting people like Connor and everyone who uses Ronald McDonald House.
“Personally I’m doing my absolute best for Ronald McDonald House because I love the work they do here and the people and what it means for them,” Hutchison said.
“I’d like to thank Greyhound Racing Victoria for their incredible support of these three amazing charities. It means a lot and I think GRV has such an unbelievably philanthropic spirit and a sense of community that shines through this promotion.”
Hutchison’s connection to greyhound racing goes all the way back to when he was a 12-year-old attending his local club Warragul with his father Ken.
“It’s a sport that really unites people and it is so fascinating. It’s nice to be involved in the GRV Chase For Charity to make a more meaningful contribution to such a special house.”
Fitzpatrick wasn’t aware of the good fortune Fitz Tate brought to Ronald McDonald house at the time, but said he was overjoyed to know that his dog could make a difference.
“It’s great and a real honour to know that we’ve helped in some way. We’ve got 12 grandkids and you always hope they don’t need to use a service like Ronald McDonald House but it’s nice to help out regardless.”
Ballarat native Connor, who wore his beloved Crows jumper as they prepare for this week’s Grand Final against Richmond, said he was a big fan of greyhounds both on and off the track.
“It’s really cool. I love the greyhounds, I watch them a bit. I’d love to have one as a pet,” he said.
“I’m really happy Ronald McDonald House could benefit from something like this. They’ve given us a home ever since I was diagnosed in July. It’s given us a home for a couple of months and I’m really thankful for that.”
