St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph are set to receive a £525 donation after Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies backed one of the winners in the Grand National.
James was one of 42 MPs who took part in a Grand National Charity Bet Campaign, raising a total of over £13,500 for local charities across the UK.
The eventual winner of the big race at Aintree in Liverpool was 8/1 favourite Corach Rambler, ridden by Derek Fox for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell.
James backed two horses, ‘Any Second Now’ and ‘Born By the Sea’, and whilst his first did not come through, his second was placed sixth, which has resulted in a total donation of £525 for his chosen charity, St Kentigern Hospice.
James, who placed his £50 charity bets at the William Hill shop in Prestatyn, said:
“Whilst I didn’t back the overall winner, I am delighted that one of my horses was placed and that St Kentigern Hospice will benefit from a generous donation as a result.
Michael Dugher, the Betting and Gaming Council’s chief executive, said:
“600 million people from all over the world turned into to watch the Grand National - including 7.5 million in the UK on ITV - with an estimated 13 million people in the U.K. enjoying a bet on the National.
“I want to pay tribute to all the thousands of people who work in betting shops to help support hard-pressed high streets and local economies. It was great to see MPs from across the political divide - more MPs than ever before - visiting bookies across the country supporting more good causes than ever before.”
The regulated betting and gaming industry already makes a huge economic contribution throughout the UK, with a recent report by EY revealing BGC members support 110,000 jobs, generate £4.2bn in tax and contribute £7.1bn to the economy in gross value added.
They also help fund horseracing to the tune of £350m through sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy, provide £40m for the English Football League and its clubs and millions more for rugby league, darts and snooker.
