Greyhounds Tasmania: Ronald McDonald House Charities sponsorship agitates animal campaigners
Those angry at Ronald McDonald House Charity for accepting Greyhounds Tasmania sponsorship are a “selfish minority,” Tasracing’s CEO says amid a fourth track death.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A charity which helps accommodate parents and families of critically ill children while they undergo treatment has found itself in the middle of the ongoing greyhound wars after news it had accepted a sponsorship worth about $30,000 from Tasmanian racing clubs.
News that Ronald McDonald House Charities had endured a storm of correspondence questioning its choice in partner was greeted frostily by Tasracing’s chief executive Andrew Jenkins, who labelled the views that of a “selfish minority”.
Last Thursday, Tasmania’s three greyhound racing clubs, united under the banner of Greyhounds Tasmania, hosted the Ronald McDonald House Charity Night at Ladbrokes Park, Elwick, consisting of a dinner, auction and running of the inaugural Ronald McDonald House Charity Cup.
Fiona Millerchip, RMHC Hobart manager, previously said the organisation was “thrilled” with the sponsorship, which was expected to raise more than $30,000 amid tough economic conditions for charities.
However, the tie-in has not sat well with greyhound activists, at least nine of which wrote to RMHC to question its choice of partner. Their correspondence was obtained by the Mercury.
Rosie Saville, co-founder of the Greyhound Rehabilitation Enthusiasts Association Tasmania, paid tribute to the “outstanding work [RMHC] do for families in crisis”.
“Having said that I was saddened and perplexed that you have chosen to align your brand with the greyhound racing industry,” she wrote.
“I implore you to consider where you align your beautiful brand and consider not aligning it with a brand that relies on overbreeding and killing dogs in the name of gambling, not to mention the untold damage gambling addiction does to vulnerable children and their families.”
Deborah Fleming, the former ABC producer who lives full-time in the Huon Valley, said that the money raised was “surely dirty money”.
“At the very least it is a most unsavoury connection,” she wrote.
Mr Jenkins, Tasracing’s chief executive, said that the views of a “selfish minority” were harming the interests of charitable organisations that wanted to work with the racing industry.
“It is extremely disappointing – but not at all surprising – that critics and opponents of the racing industry cannot accept that Tasmanian charitable organisations and sporting clubs want to work with us to fundraise, and are targeting them,” he said.
“Tasmanian racing clubs across the state are respected, corporate citizens that, as strong community contributors, are happy to provide support to important organisations like Ronald McDonald House – as Tasracing itself has done previously.”
An RMHC Victoria and Tasmania spokeswoman said that the charity had seen a “significant increase in the number of families relying on our services this year, which makes us even more grateful for the continued support from businesses and the public”.
“We acknowledge the concerns that have been raised from the community and will take them into consideration in the future,” she said.
The furore comes amid a fourth trackside greyhound death in Tasmania for 2023.
According to a new stewards’ report from Hobart on June 27, Shayne Bond-owned Just Like Jazzy “did not complete the event after faltering on the track [and] died shortly after”.
Just Like Jazzy’s is the 66th trackside greyhound death of 2023, according to Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds figures.
More Coverage
Originally published as Greyhounds Tasmania: Ronald McDonald House Charities sponsorship agitates animal campaigners
Police operation results in man charged for serious family violence offences
A man has been charged with multiple serious family violence offences following a police operation. Earlier, a woman was charged in relation to Wednesday’s Ravenswood unit fire. The latest.
Stadium to fire building boom
Major developers inspired by the proposed Macquarie Point stadium and state’s footy future are planning $138m in development in key centres around Tasmania. Inside their plans.