Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Steve Jobar was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in April 2022. Shocked to discover that there wasn't a cure or any form of effective treatment for his illness, he set about raising funds for research into a cure for future generations.
With the assistance of his committee, Jobar, who won the 1980 Triumph Hurdle for David Elsworth aboard Heighlin, has organised a fundraising lunch and race for the MND Association at Newbury on March 22.
“You will not be surprised to hear that we have received some amazingly generous support from racing folk,” said committee member Jonathan Powell.
“We have sold all 45 tables of ten at the lunch, have sponsors for his race and the wine and have been given dozens of tempting items for the auction conducted by the comedy duo of John Francome and Richard Phillips.
“Steve's Justgiving page has already raised over £7,000. In addition, we are raffling a new car at £20 a ticket. If the winner does not want the car he or she will collect £13,000.
“Every penny goes to the MND Association and to our surprise and delight we are on course to raise over £100,000 on March 22. Half will go to research into a cure for MND, the other half to the local branch of association who have provided invaluable support and pastoral care for Steve and his wife Dottie from day one.”
Powell added, “Steve is losing weight, survives on liquids now and it is impossible to understand his speech but he remains wonderfully defiant at what lies ahead.”
You can donate to Steve Jobar's campaign via his JustGiving page.
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