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The fund set up by John Hunt and his daughter Amy in memory of the commentator’s wife Carol and his daughters Hannah and Louise to raise awareness and vital funds for nationwide charities combating violence against women was closing in on £250,000 on Saturday.
Following Thursday’s Winter Wonderland fundraiser at Cheltenham, which raised more than £50,000 through a live auction at a star-studded event held in the Centaur, the feature race at Prestbury Park on Saturday was named the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup, following which the connections of winner Glengouly donated £10,000 to the cause, with a further £10,000 coming from the owners of fourth-placed Kim Roque, according to ITV.
Before the race both John and Amy Hunt spoke to Ed Chamberlin about a harrowing time for the family since the triple murder of Carol, Hannah and Louise in July last year and their gratitude for donations towards a cause they hope will make a difference to some of the most vulnerable women and girls.
“That’s amazing and testament to everyone who has put the hard work in to get the fund up and running and organising the fundraiser on Thursday night,” said Amy Hunt on hearing the latest total. “Like dad said on the night, we get a bit of credit for that, but really the credit is owed to everyone who helped us set it up and organise the fundraiser.
“To reach that number means so much and it really warms my heart because we’ve had a lot of darkness and to be able to have something that reflects the positivity that my mum and sisters had their whole lives, means a lot and hopefully we can do a lot of good in Carol, Hannah and Louise’s name, and that means everything to us.”
Glengouly: won the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold CupCredit: John Grossick Racing
John Hunt, who commentated on the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup live on BBC Radio 5 Live on Saturday, is confident the funds can reach those who need them most.
He said: “It’s amazing to think of that amount of money and, just for people who contributed, and those who donated amazing prizes and those who bid for those prizes, I think it’s important that we let them know that Amy and I, together with the Hertfordshire Community Fund in particular, and the Gloucestershire one as well, we’re going to take a little bit of breath now and just let the new year come and go, but I can assure everyone that come the new year we’re going to really focus on those who need it the most.
“Obviously we lost our three amazing girls. There are lots of amazing girls and women out there who are struggling so badly right now and, in our small way, we can demonstrate going into the new year that we’re on their side and we can happily back that up with hard cash to help them out now.”
Donations to the Hunt Family Fund can be made here.
