NEWS
Goodwood Salutes Tickets For Troops
THE first day of Glorious Goodwood brought out the stars as well
as the top racehorses for one of Britain's most glamorous racing
festivals.
The event also had an extra poignancy with the presence of two
hundred members of the Armed Forces and their families from
regiments all over the country.
Lord March, the owner of Goodwood had generously donated the
tickets to the charity Tickets For Troops, which is dedicated to
providing free tickets for major sporting, musical and theatre
events all over the country.
Former England rugby captain Lawrence Dallaglio also hosted a
Sporting Greats lunch with guests such as World Cup rugby legends
Jason Leonard and Matt Dawson and Australian cricket hero, Shane
Warne in aid of the Dallaglio Foundation, which supported Tickets
For Troops on the day.
The charity's recently appointed new Patron Christina Schmid, 34,
the brave widow of bomb disposal Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who
was killed in Afghanistan last year, presented the winner's
trophies in the first race with representatives of the three
military services.
She was joined by Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Gillian Russell,
Flight Lieutenant Paul Goodwin, a Merlin helicopter pilot based at
RAF Benson, Oxon and Sergeant Glen Reeves from the 16th Medical
Regiment based at Colchester.
Christina said: "It's fantastic that so many venues and
organisations are supporting our Armed Forces in this way. Tickets
For Troops is leading the way in recognising the courage and
sacrifice of those serving their country."
Warrant Office Kevin Oakley from RAF Benson who arrived back in
the UK from Afghanistan the night before the races said; "What a
terrific day, this sort of event makes us feel very proud and very
appreciated."
Stunning actress Elizabeth Hurley, a guest of Lord March and
appropriately a Judge for the 'best-turned out' horse for the
fourth race of the day went out of her way to meet the guest troops
and meet Christina, wearing an eye-catching salmon pink
dress.
Top jockey Frankie Dettori also interrupted his race preparation
to meet the troops and Christina but failed to offer any winning
tips.
The racecard was full of aptly named race horse such Changing the
Guard, Sentry Duty, Air Force Marshall but only Rebel Soldier came
home a winner.
Lawrence Dallaglio said; "I was thrilled and privileged to host
such a great lunch at such a wonderful venue as Goodwood and meet
all the guests from Tickets For Troops."
