RACING has come together in prayer for Richard ‘Sparky’ Bevis – as the head lad remains in intensive care after a ‘serious accident’.
More than £36,000 has been raised in less than a day after a GoFundMe page was set up by his son William.
It is not known exactly what happened to Richard – only that he suffered multiple skull fractures in an incident on his farm.
William wrote: “Many racing fans may have now heard that my Dad, Richard (Sparky) Bevis was involved in a serious accident on his farm on Saturday, he was alone at the time and we have no real idea what happened.
“However as a result he has suffered multiple skull and facial fractures and he remains in intensive care in Bristol Southmead on a ventilator.
“For those of you that don’t know him, my Dad has been head lad for Nigel Twiston-Davies for 18 years.
“He was closely associated with Gold Cup-winning Imperial Commander and more recently Haydock specialist Bristol De Mai.
“I have set up this fundraising drive so that the racing community can pull together whatever they can afford to try and help my Dad, Mum and I through this extremely challenging period.
“Please also keep us in your thoughts and prayers.”
Simon Munir, who owned gallant grey Bristol De Mai along with Isaac Souede, was one of those who contributed.
And he wrote online: “Prayers and thoughts with Richard (Sparky) Bevis and his family.
“The man behind Bristol De Mai, he rode him every day! Any help and donations would be so appreciated.”
Other figures in racing including Paul Nicholls and Nigel’s jockey son Sam have shared the link to the GoFundMe page.
At the time of writing some £36,000 had been donated by racing fans praying for good news on his condition.
A Just Giving page for jockey Graham Lee has raised more than £180,000 after his fall at Newcastle last November.
Click HERE to donate to the GoFundMe page