Horse racing enthusiasts in the north-east are being offered the chance to attend a unique race meeting this summer.
Inverurie events company George Walker Event Management is teaming up with Aberdeen charity North East Sensory Services (NESS) and helicopter firm CHC to bring a major racing event to the region for the first time.
Until now, a day at the races has always involved travelling miles for keen racegoers from Aberdeen City and Shire, with Perth Racecourse being the closest venue.
However, Castle Fraser near Inverurie will play host to a regional first, with a major meeting being staged at the National Trust for Scotland venue this summer.
All the glitz and glamour of a day at the races, complete with VIP hospitality and high-profile star guests, will be on offer at the castle grounds on June 29.
Organisers are hoping children will come in big numbers in what will be a family-friendly day. They are hoping to raise as much as £100,000 for NESS, with up to 5,000 people predicted to attend.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch, which saw a helicopter from CHC land on what will be racing turf in June, Mr Walker said he hoped to make the event an annual fixture.
He said he was delighted to be organising yet another large scale project in Aberdeenshire, after staging the Emmerdale Extravaganza, Grampian Country Fair and Fyvie Live Concert in raising more than £2million for charity.
He added: “We hope to raise as much as we possibly can with this brand new day at the races – everyone has been so kind in lending their support to the day so far and we can’t wait to have some fun at the same time.”
NESS chief executive Graham Findlay said: “We are delighted to be working with George Walker Event Management to run this unique event for NESS.
“We support 6,500 blind and deaf people across the north-east and hope this amazing day out will generate vital funds to support the wide range of services we provide.”
Tickets can be purchased at www.dayattheraces.org.
