Fund-raising luncheon for Katie Cox

A special Melbourne Cup fund-raiser for Katie Cox is being held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 7.

The talented Canterbury-based trainer-driver has recently been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer.

Her plight has prompted a massive outpouring of support from within the harness racing community, with a trust already set up to try and raise more than $100,000 to help with her treatment and medication.

Donations to that can be made to the Whatever with Wiggy Charitable Trust (CC59951)
Account name: Katie Cox Appeal
Account number: 06-0837-0390071-01

Now high profile presenter and form analyst Greg O'Connor is organising a luncheon, complete with buffet and drinks, at Addington on Melbourne Cup day, exactly one week before the IRT New Zealand Cup.

It will be held at the Silks Lounge from 1pm with tables of 10 for $1200 + GST.

"We will have the races beaming in from Flemington and it promises to be a really fun afternoon," says O'Connor.

Money for the Katie Cox Appeal will be raised through a percentage of the luncheon tickets, as well as any proceeds from auctions and other fund-raising activities, such as the Punters Club.

"Addington has been very generous with keeping the luncheon costs at a very reasonable rate."

The main auction items will be put on hrnz.co.nz, so those unable to attend can still get involved.

"The harness racing community has shown on so many occasions how it rallies around one of its own and we have to do all we can for Katie."