Pink driving a loud, clear message

Australia’s inaugural national Pacing for Pink harness racing campaign has all but eclipsed its record $100,000 fundraising target for Breast Cancer with four days still to run.

But according to many involved in the campaign, some of its biggest wins are off the track.

“For me, it’s incredible that we’ve all pulled together and raised such an amazing amount of money, but it’s not just about the money,” said Ararat Harness Racing Club’s Sharon Ralph.

“We’re only a little club, and doing a small bit.  But the thing that’s impacted me the most has been those random conversations I have had with a few women I’ve met in my own community who told me that Pacing for Pink has made them realise they’re not alone,” she said.

“They were quite emotional conversations.  They were crying, I was crying, and I don’t think we should overlook how powerful those conversations are.”

Sharon, who is the wife of Ararat Club president Phil Ralph, was the prime mover behind the club’s Pacing for Pink meeting last weekend, which raised more than $16,000 for the McGrath Foundation.

“We were hoping to break the $14,000 we raised last year and we’ve certainly done that.  As soon as you say it’s for McGrath Foundation, no one hesitates,” she said.

“I had so many conversations with people when I was approaching sponsors or organising things, and you can’t measure the benefits of that awareness.

“But the day itself was really just a great vibe. It brings people together.  It’s lovely to hear people talking and laughing and the banter and interaction between the participants is great to see.  A bit of fun over little things and you’re creating great memories for the club and for the harness racing community.”

Pacing for Pink National Coordinator Marg Watson said the tussle for outright honors among the drivers wearing pink pants for the campaign is going right down to the wire.

Three wins in the wet at Ballarat last night put Mark Pitt in a three-way tie at the head of affairs.  Pitt, along with fellow Victorian Greg Sugars and Queenslander Pete McMullen are leading with 21 wins in pink apiece; Jack Laugher (Vic) is two behind on 19 wins.

Leading the West Australian count is Gary Hall Junior (12 wins); in NSW the pink pants leader is Jackson Painting (10); Danielle Hill heads the list in South Australia with seven wins; and Mitch Ford is leading in Tasmania, also on seven.

All up, there have been more than 500 wins in the month of May by drivers wearing pink pants.

“We won’t know the full tally of funds raised until a couple of weeks after the end of the month, but I am just blown away by the level of support we have had this year,” Marg said.

“The people have come out of the woodwork and the other States (outside Victoria) can only get bigger from here.  It’s all new to them and they are just getting the idea of what it’s all about,” she said.

“It’s not about making heaps of money – it’s about getting started.  It’s exciting to think about where it could go from here.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink