Jockey Ray Silburn's Appeal
- Friday, 11 March 2005 00:00
It is in times of pain and suffering that the human spirit is truly tested. The road to recovery can be long and hard, but when aided by the generous support of the community, an individual can regain their hope in life.
Well
known and respected local Jockey Ray Silburn suffered severe injuries when he
fell from his mount during race three at Canberra on Friday 25 February 2005:
the first day of the Sayers Black Opal Stakes Carnival. After being stabilised
at Canberra Hospital, Ray was flown to Sydney late on the Friday night, where he
remains in a stable condition in the spinal unit of the Prince of Wales Hospital
at Randwick with serious spinal cord damage. Given only a 10% chance of ever
walking again, the
38-year-old husband and father of two boys faces a long hospital stay in Sydney,
followed by years of rehabilitation and many dramatic lifestyle changes.
In order to make this traumatic experience slightly less demanding on the Silburn family and to soften the impact, the Canberra Racing Club, Thoroughbred Park, in association with the wider racing industry and local community, is undertaking a campaign to raise funds for Ray, his wife Dana and their boys.
Several major events have been organised for the Ray Silburn Appeal, as well as
on-going initiatives to raise awareness and support for this worthy cause. Please find an outline of these events below:
Golf Day – Tuesday 19 April
Held simultaneously at two separate venues: Gungahlin Lakes and Yass Golf Course, this joint initiative between the Canberra Racing Club and L.J. Hooker promises to be an enjoyable day for all involved. With the Shotgun start commencing at 8.30am, participation in this event will cost $75 per person or $300 per team of 4. To book, call Dave Aumann on 0407289101.
We are also seeking volunteers to assist in the running of the day, as well as Sponsors for each hole. If you are able to contribute please contact Dave Aumann on the above number.
Gala Dinner and Auction – Friday 24 June
A night dedicated to all things sporting! Held at Thoroughbred Park, the evening will be attended by a number of local and national sporting identities from all codes of sport. The MC for the night will be WIN Television Sports Presenter Phil Small, who will also conduct live interviews with three leading sportspeople on the night. A silent auction will be held, as well as other premier items of sporting memorabilia and prizes being auctioned live. Tickets are available for tables of ten, or individuals. The Gala Dinner and Auction is guaranteed to be an unforgettable night.
Donations of sporting memorabilia and other items of high quality suitable for auction would be greatly appreciated. Please contact the Canberra Racing Club on (02) 6241 3888 if you have an item to donate.
Multi-Prize Raffle
There will be numerous prizes on offer in this great raffle, to be drawn at the Gala Dinner and Auction held in June. Tickets will be sold at all South East region race meetings in the coming months. If people wish to purchase tickets but are unable to attend a race meeting please contact the Canberra Racing Club. Donations of prize items for the raffle would be appreciated.
Internet Auction
Conducted by Canberra based Internet company AAP Racing and Sports, a live auction of sporting memorabilia and other donated items will take place on their website www.aapracingandsports.com.au For more information on the auction, please visit the website or contact the Canberra Racing Club on (02) 6241 3888.
Donation Bank Account
The Canberra Racing Club has set up a donation bank account for those wishing to make a monetary donation. Simply go into any branch of the St. George Bank and ask to deposit into the account known as "Canberra Racing Club Inc. for Ray Silburn".
The Canberra Racing Club strongly encourages any company or individual who would like to assist in the organisation of, or donation to the above fundraising events to contact the Club on (02) 6241 388. Every single contribution, no matter how small, will go a long way to helping Ray Silburn and his family pull through their recent tribulations.
For more information contact:
Lauren Curtis
Public Relations
Canberra Racing Club
Thoroughbred Park
(02) 6241 3888
Media Release - Thoroughbred Park