Dexter the racehorse delivers Christmas joy to Bramble Ward after successful ELF Raceday
Dexter, Exeter Racecourse’s much-loved mascot, swapped the parade ring for a special festive mission last week as he delivered bags of Christmas presents to children on Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.
The gifts were donated by generous racegoers who attended Exeter Racecourse’s recent ELF Raceday, held in support of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF). Dozens of presents were collected at the racecourse’s gifting drop-off point and will now be shared with children and young patients in the lead-up to Christmas.
General manager Jack Parkinson said: “We held ELF Raceday as a fundraiser for the charity and promoted ourselves as a gifting drop-off point. People have been so kind, with so many gifts donated. So we took them up to the hospital where Dexter delivered them in person.”
ELF, short for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund, is a local charity supporting people across the South West living with blood cancers and blood disorders. Working closely with the Haematology Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the charity helps ease the pressures of treatment by offering specialist hospital transport, counselling, financial and practical guidance, and accommodation for families who need to stay nearby. ELF also provides small patient support grants and helps fund equipment, facilities, and specialist roles to improve care. Powered entirely by donations and community fundraising, its mission is simple: to make life easier for patients and their loved ones at every stage of their journey.
Gary Moore, ELF’s development manager, said: “The raceday was fantastic for raising awareness of the charity, and it really helped us share what we do for patients and families. It was a successful fundraiser too. What struck me most was how many people came to our stand to share their own experiences. So many lives have been touched by cancer, and hearing those stories reminded us why our work is so important.”
Clinical nurse specialist Louise Taylor added: “It is so wonderful to receive all these gifts. Thank you so much to everyone who donated. They help children and families that come in over the next few weeks pass the time, and we’ll also offer the gifts to our patients. It will make such a huge difference to them.”
The festive delivery marks a heart-warming end to a raceday that brought supporters together, raised vital funds, and ensured a little extra magic will reach the hospital’s young patients this Christmas.
Pictured are Exeter Racecourse General Manager Jack Parkinson, Clinical Nurse Specialist Louise Taylor, ELF Development Manager Gary Moore, Dexter, Raceday and Event coordinator Hannah Lastead, Clinical Nurse Specialist Janine Roberts, Lottie Birchall and Freddie, aged 5.
