AN UNUSUAL charity race saw has raised more than £40,000 for a Coalpit Heath day centre for disabled adults.

The event at Chepstow Racecourse was in aid of Paul’s Place and featured the inaugural running of the William Hill camel derby.

The race last November raised a total of £40,055 for Paul’s Place, which welcomes members with all sorts of disabilities and severe learning difficulties,.

The money was handed over at a special celebratory ceremony on Tuesday (February 18) when members of Paul’s Place wear jockey’s shirts for the day.

Kath Aldom, manager and founder of Paul’s Place, said “We cannot thank the racing community enough, for their helping to raise this fantastic sum.

“It will make a huge difference to everyone here at Paul’s Place and allow us to continue to provide the care and support we give all our members.”

The event’s organising committee visited the charity on Tuesday to find out more about the work Paul’s Place does. As well as a day centre, it offers members holidays, social activities and shopping trips as well as respite care for carers.

Laura Day, chairman of the Paul’s Place race day organising committee, said “We are delighted to be able to be able to present this cheque to the team at Paul’s Place and would like to thank everyone once again for their magnificent support of the event which we hope will become an annual fixture in the Chepstow race programme.”

The next Paul’s Place race day which will be held at Chepstow Racecourse on Tuesday, September 30. For more information about Paul’s Place visit www.paulsplace.org.uk or for details of the next charity race day go to www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk