The polo industry get behind SANDS and bereaved parents to help raise money for Sydney
Female polo players take to the field as male players take to shaving their heads for a good cause
On the 31st July and 1st of August over 20 all women polo teams will be taking to the field to play for the prestigious Women’s Nationals Polo Tournament, held at Ascot Park Polo Club in Surrey. To make this year’s event even more special, professional polo players Oliver Hipwood, Gaston Devrient, Richard Blake-Thomas, Charlie Wooldridge and Josh Nimmo will be attending the event to support raising money for SANDS a national charity, established by bereaved parents in 1981 to support anyone affected by the death of a baby; to improve the quality of care and services and to promote research and changes in that could help to reduce the loss of babies’ lives.
The professional polo players have committed to raising £1000 pound each and to shave their heads in the name of a good cause, while the event will be used to raise awareness of SANDS and help fundraise on behalf of Sydney. Organised by Janet and Pete who are local to Ascot Park Polo Club and avid polo fans, they are encouraging the polo industry to get behind the cause by getting everyone to get their favourite player to lose his precious locks by donating at www.justgiving.com/sydney-abigail-augusta-mcivor. Janet Jokat commented:
‘After 4 years of IVF Pete and I fell pregnant in May last year. Our hopes and dreams were shattered when our little girl Sydney was born still born at week 38. Rather than feeling the elation of holding a newborn we were planning a funeral for our daughter. Sands, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity have been supporting us ever since the most tragic day of our lives, and continue to be an enormous support as we deal with the loss of our beautiful daughter Sydney.’
There will also be a silent auction taking place over the weekend; once in a lifetime experiences include £500 worth of polo lessons from Glen Gilmore (Australian Polo Captain) and a champagne helicopter tour over London donated by E.B.G Helicopters. Girls must-haves will also be included with a beautiful Links of London silver charm bracelet and charms, a fashionable handbag from Hide and an equine fashion shoot and makeover from Centaur Photographic.
A fashionable way to show your support is to purchase Sydney’s Fund Bracelet. Hand Made and blessed by Monks in Thailand this multi coloured cord bracelet will keep you safe, whilst making you look good and showing that you care. To purchase one of these please go to www.sydneysfund.co.uk
To find out more about Sydney’s story and the sands project please go to www.sydneysfund.co.uk