A CHARITY Grand National Bet supported by Mark Jenkinson MP has raised over £15,000 for good causes.
The initiative from the Betting and Gaming Council saw more than 50 parliamentarians take a punt on the most popular fixture in the racing calendar – with all winnings going to the MP’s charity of choice.
Mark backed Meetingofthewaters in honour of Cockermouth which sits at the confluence of the Derwent and the Cocker.
His charity of choice, BEEP Doctors, will still benefit from £250 even though his horse finished in seventh place.
Mark said: “I was delighted to take part again this year. Even though I didn’t win, I am pleased that my chosen charity will still benefit.
“BEEP Doctors is a realty excellent charity which provides enhanced pre-hospital emergency medical care to people in Cumbria – and I was delighted to support such an important and worthwhile organisation.”
MPs were invited to visit either a Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred or local independent betting shops including JenningsBet and Corbett Bookmakers, in their constituency to place the charity bet, organised by the Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated industry.
Mark has originally backed placed a £10 Grand National charity bet each way on Where It All Began at Coral in Workington (because this is the town where his political journey started).
But when the horse turned out to be a non-runner, he backed Meetingofthewaters.
The eventual winner was 7/1 favourite I am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, owned by JP McManus and trained by the legendary Willie Mullins.
Every nominated charity will receive at least £250 after BGC members including William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power and Betfred pledged to support charities even if MPs horses didn’t win.
The Grand National was expected to generate £3m in tax revenues for the Treasury and £2m in horse racing levy to support the sport.
The regulated betting and gaming industry already makes a huge economic contribution throughout the UK, with a recent report by EY revealing BGC members support 110,000 jobs, generate £4.2bn in tax and contribute £7.1bn to the economy in gross value added.
They also help fund horseracing with over £350m through sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy, provide £40m for the English Football League and its clubs and millions more for rugby league, darts and snooker.
Betting shops support 42,000 jobs on the UK’s hard-pressed high streets, contribute £800 million a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.
Meanwhile, a study by ESA Retail found that 89 per cent of betting shop customers combine their trip to the bookies with visits to other local businesses.
