Top-three spot for mascot
Chaddy finished a respectable third in the football mascots' 100m dash at Doncaster Racecourse.Despite struggling with an ankle injury, Chaddy came home behind winner York City and runner-up Burton Albion.
On ground described as good to firm, mascots from more than 20 clubs took part in the sprint to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK through its charity partnership with The Football League. The Racing Post – which is also partnered with the charity – was on hand to make sure the mascots adhere to race rules.
English football’s over-sized and outlandish representatives took on the 100m course, complete with fences, in a battle for the line - with season long bragging rights going to the victor and his or her club’s supporters.
Prostate Cancer UK’s partnership with The Football League will run throughout the 2012/13 season, with the aim of raising funds for and awareness of the disease amongst the football community and the wider public.
Claire Walsh, Head of Community and Sports Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "We are thrilled that so many mascots have unleashed their competive side to take part in the race in support of Prostate Cancer UK.
"Every penny raised by fans backing their mascot will help us support more of the 250,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK . Regardless of who reaches the finish line first, in our eyes each and every mascot is a real winner for pledging to help make 2012-13 a season saving men’s lives."
John Nagle, Head of Communications at The Football League, said: "I’m delighted that so many Football League Mascots will be helping us raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. The Mascot Race is always a tremendous spectacle and a brilliant way to launch The Football League’s Official Charity partnership. May the best mascot win."
The Mascot Race marked the beginning of a weekend of racing during which The Racing Post – will dedicate The Prostate Cancer UK Charity Race in support of the charity on Saturday, and hold a 5k ‘Do it for Dad’ fun run on Sunday.
Harriet Collins, PR Manager at the Racing Post, added: "The Racing Post is joining forces with The Football League to help Prostate Cancer UK raise awareness of the most common cancer in men in the UK amongst football and racing fans. It will be a comedy moment to see dozens of mascots bounding along the course and we hope that supporters will dig deep to help raise much as possible over the weekend."
Doncaster race course has also pledged to donate £1 to Prostate Cancer UK for every ticket sold over and above 4,000 today.