Jump racing will return to Carlisle today – and raise cash and awareness for a good cause in the process.

The track’s Welcome to the Jumps Raceday will be supported for the second time by local business Rachael Bell Wealth Management.

The event was held for the first time two years ago, supporting the Eden Valley Hospice, and its success led to plans for a second year which were disrupted by Covid-19.

The easing of restrictions has led to the return of racing and the fundraising initiative, with this year’s event supporting the Rock Youth Project which provides a safe space for young people.

The money raised will go towardsnproviding a new pavilion for the charity on Scalegate Road.

Pam Brown, client experience director for Rachael Bell Wealth Management, said: “We’ve been involved with Carlisle Racecourse for seven years now and this will be the second year that we’ve supported a charity on a raceday.

“Two years ago we raised some vital funds for the Eden Valley Hospice and we are delighted to be supporting another worthy local cause in the Rock Youth Project this time around.

“It’s a small charity in Carlisle which runs out of an old bowling green and meets the needs of children and young people in the area, giving them somewhere to go and socialise in a safe environment on evenings, weekends and school holidays.

“They do some really meaningful work in the area and are trying to raise funds for a new pavilion, which is why we’ve chosen to support them with our raceday this year.

“We greatly enjoy our annual visit to Carlisle and we’re beyond grateful to The Jockey Club for their help in supporting worthy causes across the local area.”

This raceday will be the first jumps meeting with a crowd at Carlisle since December 13, 2020 and Molly Dingwall, general manager at Carlisle Racecourse, is looking forward to welcoming back some familiar faces to the track.

She said: “After a thrilling summer of flat racing in front of some wonderful crowds, we can’t wait to get the jumps season underway up here at Carlisle.

“It will be the first time that we’ve hosted jumps racing in front of spectators since December of last year and it will be great to welcome back our loyal followers to the racecourse on what will be an excellent day of early season racing.

“The standard always proves to be strong for this time of year and bearing in mind that this meeting has produced the likes of Al Dancer and Bannixtown Glory in recent years, there’s every chance that we’ll see another star of the future once again.”

Tickets for the event start from £15 for adults, with under-18s going free, and are available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/carlisle/events-tickets/welcome-to-the-jumps-oct.

Alternatively, they can also be purchased at the racecourse.