Silver Fern captain Katrina Grant will be one of the special guests attending the Daffodil Raceday in Hawke's Bay in September.
The initiative is in its fifth year and is supported by the New Zealand Racing Board which will be making a significant cash donation for every winner participating in every Daffodil Raceday across New Zealand.
Grant said she was a fan of the races and could not wait to attend the event on September 1 at Hastings Racecourse.
"I'm a racing board ambassador and I know that the Cancer Society and Daffodil Day is the racing board's only charity that they have. The Hawke's Bay Racing Board does a lot to support the day.
"It was a really good opportunity for me to come down and see what it was all about."
New Raceday silks have been created and the NZRB will donate $1000 per winner in the silks on Tarzino Trophy Raceday, with all other events receiving $500 per winner.
The club with the most winners on its Daffodil Day Raceday will receive an additional $2000 for its local Cancer Society.
Grant said the event was the perfect opportunity for her to meet and greet local members of the board and support a great cause.
"It will just be great to give back and make the day a little bit more enjoyable. Hopefully I can add a bit to it," she laughs.
Since 2014 Hawke's Bay Racing has raised $90,000 to provide care, comfort and support to Hawke's Bay families.
Grant says she is proud to support the cause, as she has loved ones who had or have cancer.
"I think everyone in New Zealand either knows somebody or has someone close who has been affected by cancer. It seems to unfortunately be part of everybody and anybody's life.
"To be able to support a cause like this is very special because cancer has certainly affected members of my family."
Cancer had also affected a member of the Hawke's Bay Racing Board, Craig Berge, who has worked alongside the board for nine years.
Earlier this year he was diagnosed with throat cancer and has been undergoing radiation treatment for the past six months.
Berge has been using the Cancer Society's shuttle service to Palmerston North as there is no local treatment available.
Hawke's Bay Cancer Society Manager Trudy Kirk says Raceday is an event that her staff and volunteers value immensely and look forward to every year.
"The support and fundraising from Hawke's Bay Racing and the New Zealand Racing Board make a positive difference to those living with cancer in our region."
BE IN TO WIN
Thanks to Hawke's Bay Racing, you can win lunch with Katrina Grant on September 1 at the Tarzino Trophy Daffodil Raceday.
The prize includes: 2 x guests into the Premier Lounge ($270 value), catered lunch with Silver Fern Katrina Grant, reserved table, racebook and pen.
To enter, email competitions@hbtoday.co.nz (with raceday in the subject line) and tell us which society the September 1 race meet is benefiting.
Please include your name and daytime phone number. You must be over 18 to enter.
Entries close at 5pm this Wednesday, August 22.