THIS year’s Middleham Open Day will help raise funds for a project to provide accommodation for young people starting out on their racing careers.

The SITE of the current Hill House in Middleham, North Yorkshire, has been purchased by Racing Welfare in a bid to help to address the need for quality, affordable housing for young racing staff in the area.

The Hill House Appeal will be launched in association with the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation during the week of the ARC-sponsored Middleham Open Day.

The appeal will seek to raise the £2million required to complete the project. Subject to planning consent and building and fire regulations approval, the development will incorporate 12 units of accommodation for young people aged 16-24 years old, in addition to offices for the charity’s regional welfare team, a gym and community space.

ARC Middleham Open Day, on Good Friday, April 19, is a highlight in Racing Welfare’s calendar of events each year, attracting over 3000 people to the town on the day. The day kicks off with open yards in the morning. Eleven stables will welcome visitors to meet their equine stars from 9.30am to 1pm. Those opening up their gates this year including the all-time record-breaking Mark Johnston, and the recently crowned Lycetts Team Champions - and home of the Cheltenham Festival Sun Racing Stayers Hurdle runner up Sam Spinner - Jedd O’Keeffe.

Certain to be a fantastic day out for all, events will move to the stunning location of Middleham’s Low Moor from 1.30pm, featuring a host of entertainment to occupy the whole family. Not to be missed attractions include the Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) parade and the ever popular and hotly contested Inter-Yard Team Challenge.

Racing Welfare’s Northern Regional Welfare Manager, Sarah Fanning, said, “We are delighted that this year’s Middleham Open Day coincides with the launch of the Hill House Appeal. Once completed, the project will provide a focal point in the town, not only by offering quality, safe housing for those coming into the industry, but also through the inclusion of facilities that will benefit the wider community as a whole. The Open Day is great day out and we hope to see more people than ever coming along on to show their support and help us move towards our fundraising target for Hill House.”

Tickets for Middleham Open Day tickets are on sale now at www.middlehamopenday.co.uk. Adult day passes are priced at £12.50, with concessions at £8.50.

Under 16s go free of charge. Racing Welfare will have a stand on the Low Moor throughout the day for anyone wishing to find out more about the Hill House Appeal.