Employees from Leeds-based Sky Bet got their hands dirty recently, when they volunteered at New Beginnings – a charity in York where ex-race horses are rehabilitated and re-homed.
Twenty-two members of staff from Sky Bet spent time mucking out stables, repairing and painting fences, grooming horses and undertaking general yard duties at the sanctuary, which currently cares for over 20 horses at its yard in Hanging Grimston.
Perhaps the most famous resident at New Beginnings is famous, multiple Wetherby Racecourse winner Mr McGoldrick, who has been living with the charity since his retirement three years ago.
Fiona Gribben, one of the volunteers from Sky Betting and Gaming, said: “New Beginnings is such an important charity and it’s amazing to see all the retired horses happy and enjoying life after racing. It was great to meet Mr McGoldrick and the other horses, as well as assisting the very hardworking New Beginnings staff.
“It’s not every day that we get to come out to organisations like this and spend time with these fantastic animals. I’m thankful that Sky Bet gave us the opportunity to volunteer for the charity and make a difference to a really worthwhile project.”
Kevin Atkinson, director at New Beginnings, added: “This isn’t the first time the Sky Bet team has come down to help us out and we’re really grateful the team has returned for the to help us. They’ve done an amazing job in assisting us with our most time consuming jobs and tasks.
“We’re really appreciative to Sky Bet for allowing some of the staff to come along and help us out, and we really look forward to working with the team in future.”
For more information about New Beginnings visit www.newbeginningshorses.org.uk.
