‘Please keep us in your thoughts’: over £52,000 raised for head lad after serious accident
Over £52,000 has been raised to support Richard (Sparky) Bevis, who is in intensive care following an accident at his farm.
The 53-year-old, who has been head lad for National Hunt trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies for 18 years, was alone at his farm on Saturday (13 January) when he was injured.
In a statement on a fundraising page set up since the accident, Richard’s son William said: “He was alone at the time and we have no real idea what happened, however as a result he has suffered multiple skull and facial fractures, he remains in intensive care in Bristol Southmead on a ventilator.”
Donate to the fundraising page
Richard looked after and rode out the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander, and was closely associated with the three-time Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai, who retired last year.
“I have set up this fundraising drive so that the racing community can pull together whatever they can afford to try and help my dad, mum and I through this extremely challenging period,” William said. “Please also keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
The page was set up two days ago, since which time 540 people have donated over £52,200.
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.