The annual Team Teal campaign returns tomorrow with $200 to be donated on every occasion a Queensland reinswoman drives a winner in the Sunshine State.
Staged from February 1, the Queensland harness racing will once again raise funds for ovarian and other gynaecological cancer research, with a raft of fundraising initiatives to be held over the next six weeks.
In conjunction with WomenCan, Team Teal donations will be directed to the Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, which is the leading clinical trials research organisation for gynaecological cancer in the region.
In addition to the winning donations, all Queensland reinswomen will wear special teal coloured pants to highlight the campaign.
During this year’s campaign, Kelli Dawson and Taleah McMullen will serve as ambassadors, while Meaghan McNee and Codi Evans will serve as junior ambassadors.
“Racing Queensland is proud to be involved with its clubs in delivering the Team Teal campaign for another year,” RQ General Manager Corporate Affairs and Policy Mary Collier said.
“Harness racing’s willingness to fundraise - and support – such an important cause is extremely heartening and demonstrates everything that is great about our industry.
“I urge all participants to give what they can, whether that is buying a Team Teal pin and wristband or buying a raffle ticket at the track – every dollar counts.”
The Team Teal campaign was created by Duncan McPherson OAM, who lost his wife Lyn to ovarian cancer in 2010.
Mr McPherson co-founded the campaign with fellow harness owners Michael Taranto and Jim Connelly as a way to associate their passion of racing with the cause to fund clinical research nurses.
During the 2020 edition of Team Teal, RQ will donate $100 for every winner, while the Albion Park and Redcliffe harness racing clubs will donate $50 apiece.
“I’m sure Lyn McPherson would be unbelievably proud of what has been done in her honour over the past decade,” Ms Collier said.
“What Team Teal have achieved over the last decade is a testament to the entire harness racing industry and their ongoing commitment to raise funds for a vital cause.”
The Queensland campaign will fittingly include with the Ladies Invitational event at Albion Park on Saturday, March 7 followed by a cheque presentation to ANZGOG at the end of the month.
Click here for more information on the Team Teal campaign.