The famous Greyhound track at Walthamstow Stadium in East London is soon to close its doors to paying punters for the final time in August as the land on which it sits has been sold off to property developers.
To mark the occasion, recruitment consultancy SSR Personnel Services has organised a fundraising evening on behalf of Careline (the Charity that assists young adults who’ve experienced some form of trauma or abuse).
Over the years, Walthamstow Stadium has hosted many successful Charity fundraising evenings in The Goodwood Lounge involving both local charities and major national charities. Those organisations have included The Injured Jockey’s Fund, Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer Research (UK), The Samaritans, St Joseph’s Hospice, Wish Upon A Star and The Retired Greyhounds Trust.
SSR Careline night: 31 July
The security profession has a long-established reputation of fundraising for charities. With Walthamstow’s last race meeting occurring on Saturday 16 August, the final fundraiser – organised by SSR director Jeff Johnson – takes place on Thursday 31 July.
Speaking about the event, Johnson told info4security: “Raising money for Careline is a fantastic way of providing a legacy as we lose yet another wonderful landmark building from London’s skyline.”
Applications to join the party night will be processed on a first come, first served basis. For further information on attending what promises to be a momentous occasion, contact Jeff Johnson direct on (telephone) 020 8626 3100. Alternatively, send Jeff an e-mail at: [email protected]
Companies interested in supporting the work of Careline should log on at www.carelineuk.org for more details
Not just a listening service, Careline provides a range of safe, non-judgemental counselling services that helps those in acute emotional distress lead a useful and ‘normal’ life, putting their emotional turmoil behind them.
Unlike many of the specialist lines you may be familiar with, Careline volunteers are trained to efficiently work with all issues they are presented with. Counsellors efficiently deal with traumatic issues including rape, domestic violence, bullying, abortion and coming to terms with major ‘life events’ such as childhood abuse, critical illness or isolation suffered after losing a loved one.
Facts about Walthamstow Stadium
Walthamstow Stadium Limited was founded by William Chandler and opened in 1933. Chandler came from very poor beginnings in East London, and his first business venture was to operate as an illegal street bookmakers in East London with runners standing on street corners in all parts of the area!
Chandler progressed to become a bookmaker at horse racing tracks throughout the South of England and, after a few years, had the Number One pitch at every racecourse in the South.
The entrepreneur’s next move was to become a rails bookmakers (a bookmaker who bets to the Members Enclosure). The other bookmakers standing on the rails next to him were three young men – William Hill, Jo Coral and Max Parker (Parker was the founder of Ladbrokes) so he was in good company. Chandler diversified into several businesses and, in the late 1920’s, when greyhound racing started in England he saw a potential and opened Walthamstow Stadium.
Chandler passed away in 1946 when only 56 years of age, but he left a tremendous legacy behind.
