Jockey’s race to raise Mail Force thousands

AMATEUR jockey Maurice McCarthy hopes to raise thousands of pounds for Mail Force by riding in a charity horse race later this month.

The 53-year-old – just one of The Mail on Sunday’s generous readers – will wear specially designed silks in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainian flag when he rides in the 5.15pm at Ludlow on March 23.

His friend Michael Owen, the former footballer and racehorse owner, has found him an eightyear-old horse to ride named Battered. ‘I am going to win for the Ukrainians,’ said Maurice last night. ‘The Mail has done an amazing job. The amount raised for Mail Force is phenomenal.’

Maurice, who has already raised £1,000, is one of many readers who have set up their own mini appeals for Mail Force.

Generous James Tait is running the Berlin half-marathon for Mail Force later this year, while ten-year-old Lilia is going to cycle 50 miles this month to raise money.