Horse racing syndicate to raise £10,000 for kidney patients

A patient whose life was transformed by a successful kidney transplant at Guy’s Hospital has launched a horse racing syndicate to raise funds for kidney patients treated at Guy’s and St Thomas’.

Henry Kimbell, 28, from Clapham in south London, is Vice Chair of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ Kidney Patients’ Association (GSTTKPA) and this month he celebrates the fourth anniversary of his transplant.

The GSTTKPA’s activities include paying for social events in Guy’s and St Thomas’ seven dialysis units, funding added extras such as TVs to keep patients entertained during their lengthy dialysis sessions, supporting cutting edge research, and providing accommodation for parents of children who are undergoing treatment in Evelina London Children’s Hospital.

Now people can begin 2015 by becoming an owner in the charity syndicate which includes a share in two racehorses – Allez Encore and King Simba – stabled with Grand National-winning trainer Kim Bailey just outside Cheltenham.

The cost to join the partnership is £375 a month until May 2016 and there are no hidden extras – as a part-owner you will be entitled to days out, box hospitality and owners’ badges while at the races, together with trips to Kim Bailey’s yard to meet the horses and see them exercise.

A percentage of each share price and a contribution from any prize money that the horses win will be donated to the GSTTKPA, a registered charity which hopes to raise £10,000 from this enterprising venture.

Henry says: “The activities that we fund through the GSTTKPA provide an important lifeline for patients who can spend up to four hours on dialysis as many as four times a week. Breaking up the monotony of dialysis, and making sure these patients don’t become detached from daily life, is vital.

“The outlay to join this partnership isn’t excessive – especially if you split your share between family, friends or work colleagues – and even if you have never been to the races before, it doesn’t matter, since the partnership will be run with a social emphasis.

“I want to use this venture as a means of highlighting the impact of kidney disease because three people die every day in the UK waiting for a transplant. I want to encourage more people to join the organ donor register because I know from personal experience that a kidney transplant is truly life-changing.”

You can register to become an organ donor at www.organdonation.nhs.uk – don’t forget to talk to your family first so they know your wishes.
Details of the horse racing syndicate are available at www.kimbaileyracing.com/partnerships/gsttkpa - if you are interested in signing up, contact Henry Kimbell on 07979 522744 or via email at [email protected].