Greyhound Racing Victoria’s Go The Red Dog campaign drew to a close on Saturday, 29 February at the Australian Cup race meeting.

Every time a greyhound wearing the red number one rug won a race in Victoria during January and February, $250 was donated by GRV to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

The total number of red dog winners across the two-month period was 382, equating to $95,500, however GRV Chair Peita Duncan and the GRV Board rounded the total up to $100,000.

“The Go The Red Dog campaign is one of many examples of how greyhound racing gives back to communities,” Ms Duncan said.

“Separate to the Go The Red Dog campaign, tens of thousands of dollars more has been raised for the Bushfire Appeal by greyhound clubs and participants across Victoria, many of whom live in regional areas.”

Ms Duncan and the Board recently met in Sale and in coming weeks and months, GRV would also be holding board meetings, leadership team meetings and branch meetings in rural and regional towns and cities.

“We see this is a very practical way of showing our support by spending money locally through accommodation, food, petrol and other services,’’ Ms Duncan said.

“It’s really important for us to come to affected regions and hear first-hand the impact of these fires.

“Greyhound racing began in Victoria almost 150 years ago and GRV, its 13 clubs and 15,000 participants are very much a part of these local communities and we are all willing to lend a helping hand.”