Friends and family of jump jockey Campbell Gillies, who died in a holiday accident last year, are organising a charity ball in his memory.
The Campbell Gillies Memorial Ball will be held on 29 June at Aintree Racecourse, raising funds for the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
The ball was initiated by Jaimie Duff, assistant trainer to Lucinda Russell, for whom Campbell was working at the time of his death.
“We want to give something back to the IJF as they gave so much support after Campbell’s accident,” said friend and organiser Catriona Bissett, assistant at Richard Phillips’. ‘It’s been part of the healing process and is also a celebration of Campbell’s life.”
“Aintree was a special place for him personally, as he had his first big winner there,” said Catriona. “Campbell loved a few drinks and a dance, and this ball is about doing something that he himself would have enjoyed, while raising money for a great cause. [The venue] has a capacity 425 — so about 40 tables of 10 — and we want it full.”
Tickets cost £50, to include a drinks reception in the winners’ enclosure, three-course dinner with wine and entertainment. There will also be an auction.
For more details visit www.campbellgilliesmemorialball.weebly.com or email: CGmemorialball@hotmail.co.uk
