# Macmillan Charity Race Day passes £0.5 million mark for first time

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/06/28/macmillan-charity-race-day-passes-0-5m-mark-first-time/
- Published: 2017-06-28T10:36:15+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Macmillan Cancer Support’s annual Charity Race Day raised more than half a million
pounds for the first time in its 47-year history this year.**

 

The [Macmillan Charity Raceday](http://www.macmillan.org.uk/yorkraceday) is the 
largest standalone event in Macmillan’s fundraising calendar, and this year took
place on Saturday 17th June. The day included charity race the Best Western Hotels&
Macmillan Ride of Their Lives, which saw 10 amateur riders go head-to-head in front
of over 27,000 spectators. The riders raised more than £133,000 between them with
the winner – Belinda Keighley – raising over £27,000.

## Advertisement

 

In addition, alongside contributions from events including raffles and bucket collections,
charity lunches and fundraising dinners, there was also an online charity auction.
The headline lot was a unique Vox guitar signed by 41 rock music stars, which sold
for £2,550.

 

The event is a joint effort between Macmillan and York Racecourse, and has taken
place annually since 1971, raising more than £7.5 million in total for Macmillan
alongside other charitable causes.

 

Lynda Thomas, Macmillan chief executive, said:

 

> “It is a fantastic achievement to raise over £500,000, which will allow us to 
> continue providing emotional, financial, medical and practical support to the 
> increasing number of people living with cancer.”

 

Chief executive and Clerk of the Course at York, William Derby said:

 

> “For Macmillan Charity Raceday to set a new record after 47 years and having now
> raised over £7,650,000 is a wonderful tribute to the support of so many individuals
> and organisations.”

 * **[Macmillan volunteers thanked at special Buckingham Palace reception](https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/02/16/macmillan-volunteers-thanked-special-buckingham-palace-reception/)**(
   16 February 2018)
 * **[Macmillan hits record £265.4 million income](https://fundraising.co.uk/2026/09/21/macmillan-hits-record-265-4-million-income/)**(
   21 September 2026)
 * **[Macmillan launches first direct response TV ad](https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/05/08/macmillan-launches-first-direct-response-tv-ad/)**(
   8 May 2003)

![Loading](https://fundraising.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/page-views-count/ajax-loader-
2x.gif)