PRESS RELEASES / NEWS

2008 marks the 50th anniversary of Sandown Park’s most famous charity day – The Variety Club Raceday on Saturday 30 August - and this year the special guest will be Suzanne Shaw who scooped the title ‘queen of the ice’ in front of 13 millions viewers of ITV1’s hit show ‘Dancing On Ice’. 

Suzanne first burst onto our screens as one of the successful winners of Popstars and went on to be a part of the band Hear’Say.  A popular actress and singer, Suzanne appears regularly on stage and screen and this month she returns to the West End in her dream role as Roxie Hart in Chicago.  She is a Mum to three year old Corey and was recently crowned Celebrity Mum of the Year and is the new face and body of top lingerie firm Ultimo’s new brand; Michelle for George.

Suzanne Shaw says, “I am thrilled and honoured to be invited as a guest of the Variety Club to their Golden anniversary charity event and am looking forward to a fun-filled day at Sandown Park Racecourse.”

Having spent half a century together the racecourse and the Variety Club will bring a ‘golden theme’ to the day.  Golden statues will welcome you on arrival, with a special gold carpet to welcome the VIP’s and as a special treat, anyone celebrating their 50th anniversary this year (2008) will be allowed free entry into the racecourse plus a complimentary glass of champagne*.

This is a day to spot a host of celebrities from the world of film, television and theatre all of whom are there to raise funds to improve the lives of many sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout Great Britain.  Whilst the adults might be concentrating on the racing, there will be fun and games in abundance for the visiting children, with an array of events on offer such as bouncey castles, face painters plus many other fantastic games.  The Mr Men, childhood favourites for generations, will also be present, with long-established favourites like Mr.Bump and Little Miss Sunshine and for the first time the racecourse is pleased to announce Peppa Pig, the cheeky yet loveable pig and her brother George will make an appearance.  This is your chance to have your child’s picture taken with their favourite childhood hero!

This is Sandown Park’s ultimate family day and this year there will be more complimentary entertainment than ever before for children young and old, so make sure you arrive early so that you can take full advantage of the fun filled day. It is the perfect way to treat you children to end the school holidays.

Gates will open at 12pm and the first race is at 2.05pm.  For more information please contact Sandown Park on 01372 47 00 47 or visit www.sandown.co.uk

*   A wedding certificate is needed as proof and this offer is available for Grandstand tickets on the day