Punters back community stakes

PUNTERS at Healesville Races have backed three winners this season who are odds-on favourites in the community stakes.
Excess funds from the Healesville Amateur Racing Club’s Punters’ Club were donated on Saturday to three local organisations involved with youth, families and the disabled.
Healesville Interchurch Care Inc, Healesville Community Youth Link and Riding For The Disabled each received a $500 donation.
HARC vice-chairman John O’Neill said the Punters’ Club had had a really good year. “At the end of the season we had $1500 left over, which it was decided should go to local charities,” he said.
The move is part of a drive by the club to promote the HARC as a local club for local people.
“We are very much aware that although we do get a lot of local people along to our meetings, we don’t get as many as we would like joining up as members,” he said.
“The club is leaning very much towards locals now and towards being seen as part of this community.
“This money has come from the punters, supporters of the club, and we are very pleased to be able to use it also to support local community projects.”