[A]N entertainment mogul has snapped up a piece of horse racing history in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Paul Latham, chief operating officer at Live Nation, a worldwide concert and live events promotion company, was the top bidder for the Grand National winner One For Arthur’s signed saddlecloth.
Mr Latham paid £2,700 for the item, which was framed alongside a racecard signed by all 40 Grand National jockeys.
He said: “I am a huge racing fan and was at a wedding in Ireland on the day of the Grand National and delayed the bride and groom`s entrance to their dinner while I was shouting home One For Arthur.
“I am very happy to make a small contribution to the wonderful work that the Great North Air Ambulance do, and have a splendid memento of a very special day all round.”
Mr Latham said the item would take pride of place in his London office.
The item was donated by Steve Charlton, of High Etherley, County Durham, the jump jockeys’ valet in the North of England.
He said: “I’m over the moon that it made this much money, and pleased to have been able to help the charity. I love supporting the Great North Air Ambulance, which does brilliant work 365 days a year.”
Grahame Pickering, chief executive at GNAAS, said: “We’d like to thank Mr Latham for getting into the spirit of the auction and bidding such an incredible amount.
“All of the money raised will support this service here in the North-East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.
“Our attention now turns to our annual car raffle, with tickets available at just £1 each. Some lucky person will be driving this brand new car by Christmas.”
For more on GNAAS and its car raffle, please visit www.gnaas.com
