Bandon Race Night in aid of Mercy Hospital

The 6th annual Rambo’s Race Night will take place in Little Norah’s in Bandon from 9pm on Saturday October 28th, in memory of a local man and in aid of The Mercy Hospital Foundation.

 The Race Night will consist of 10 horseraces, consisting of eight horses purchased in advance, as well as an auction race where people will bid to purchase a horse on the night. 

Winners of the first 10 races win a bottle of brandy, while the punters can place bets on each race with the ‘bookies’.  

The winner of the auction race will win a cash prize and their name will be placed on the ‘Rambo’s Race Night’ memorial plaque. 

There will also be a huge raffle on the night, with fantastic prizes to be won

The popular annual fundraiser is organised in memory of Ray ‘Rambo’ Seaman by his sister Verona O’Driscoll, with the help of family and friends, and to date it has raised over €34,000 for The Mercy Cancer Appeal, which aims to fund key services and advancements in the treatment of and research into many cancers; and in particular The Mercy Cancer Care Centre.

 Ray died on September 8th 2012 in the care of the Mercy University Hospital, aged 48.  He had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) the previous October in London, where he lived for over 20 years. 

Ray became very ill when he was home on holiday in August and spent nearly two weeks in the Mercy before being discharged. Unfortunately, he wasn’t out long when he was rushed back to the Mercy and just under two weeks later, Ray passed away.  

 Speaking about the care Ray received at the Mercy, his sister Verona said: ‘During his time in the Mercy, the doctors, nurses, hospital chaplin Fr Pierce and staff, showed both Ray and our family so much care, kindness and respect. After Ray passed away we wanted to do something to show our appreciation of their kindness. Ray loved horses and horse racing so we came up with the idea of holding a race night in his memory for the Mercy Hospital Foundation which took place around six weeks after Ray died. The event went so well that we decided to make it an annual event and it has gone from strength to strength.’

 People can get involved and support Rambo’s Race Night on Saturday October 28th by purchasing a horse for the night, buying raffle tickets, sponsoring a prize, sponsoring a race, or by simply turning up to place a few bets on the night itself.

 For further information on the fundraiser contact Verona on 086 0737540.