Robert Alner trust fund launched to help injured racehorse trainer
A trust fund in aid of injured racehorse trainer Robert Alner was launched yesterday (Monday 28 April).
The Dorset-based trainer is still unable to speak and is unlikely to walk again after he suffered serious neck and spinal injuries in a car crash last November.
The 64-year-old who trained the 1998 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Cool Dawn remains in Odstock Hospital near Salisbury and is reported to be making steady progress.
Long-time stable jockey to Robert and trustee Andrew Thornton told H&H: “I am delighted by the project. Hopefully we will raise a lot of money for Robert and make him as comfortable as possible. I hope lots of people will show their support.”
As part of the trust fund project fund-raising events will be taking place this year.
The main feature will be a ball, to be held at Wincanton Racecourse on Saturday 11 October.
Several national hunt trainers are also showing their support for their fellow trainer by holding events and giving donations to the Robert Alner Fund.
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The majority of the proceeds from trainer Jim Old’s annual charity golf day held in Marlborough, Wiltshire in August will go towards the Alner Fund.
Charlie Mann is also organising a golf day on 30 June while champion trainer Paul Nicholls donated his winning percentage from his hunter chase victories this season.
In January a dinner dance at Cheltenham racecourse raised £5,500 for the Robert Alner Fund.
A pair of breeches worn by jockey Andrew Thornton when he won the Coral Welsh National on Miko de Beauchene for Mr Alner last December were auctioned off on the night, raising £650 for the cause.
For updates on Robert visit: http://newsonrobertalner.blogspot.com/
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.