‘I wouldn’t be here without the IJF’ – how Rachael Blackmore’s Serial Winners Fund will help save lives

PARALYSED jockey Wayne Burton has opened up on how the Injured Jockeys Fund saved his life after a devastating fall.

The former jumps rider has been confined to a wheelchair since his awful crash in a hurdle race at Exeter in 2008.

Burton will push his way through the London Marathon after the IJF gave his life a renewed purpose

PA

Betfair and Blackmore are looking to raise £250,000 for the IJF and the Irish Injured Jockeys[/caption]

He was left with horrific spinal injuries – but will remarkably push his way round the London Marathon course this April.

His rehabilitation would not have been possible without the dedicated staff at Oaksey House in Lambourn, Hungerford.

There, jockeys, who risk life and limb every time they go onto the racecourse, rest, recover and repair.

Whether it be a broken little finger or a fractured neck, riders of all skill levels – and even those retired 40 years – have everything they need to get back to full health, or as close as.

But as Burton told Betfair in their latest Serial Winners Fund video, sometimes the recovery goes beyond mending a cracked finger or toe.

Indeed, there was no way back to full fitness for Burton.

But what he did find was friendship and support to last a lifetime.

Burton, who spoke in the latest Betfair Coaching Carter video, said: “I was out cold for 25 minutes after the fall. I couldn’t feel anything.

“I lost my speech and understanding of what things were, where I was… that was a really hard battle for me.”

Burton now lives at Oaksey House and added: “Without the IJF I wouldn’t be here today.

“This place was built a year after my accident. I was one of the first jockeys to come here.

“Now I’m going to do the marathon – now it’s close I’m thinking, ‘was that the best idea?’

“But we’ll give it a go!”

Betfair and Rachael Blackmore have teamed up with the goal of raising £250,000 for charity.

The kitty rocketed to £155,000 after Grand National icon Blackmore’s pulsating Thyestes Win on Ain’t That A Shame at Gowran Park last week.

Betfair kick-started the fundraising drive with an initial £100,000 donation.

The goal is to hit £250,000 by the time the Grand National rolls back round in April.

The Injured Jockeys Fund has helped more than 1,000 jockeys and their families since 1964, distributing more than £20million.

Betfair ambassador Blackmore said: “This is a very generous initiative from Betfair and one that I am excited to be a part of over the coming season.

“The work of IIJ (Irish Injured Jockeys) and IJF is vital in providing support services for jockeys past and present.

“It’s great to have Betfair supporting not only me, but two organisations that are so important to us as jockeys.”

Betfair will add an extra £5,000 for every winner she rides.