Brian Toomey was given a 3% chance of survival, now he’s raising awareness for the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Ex-jockey Brian Toomey suffered a severe fall during a race in 2013, which left him clinically dead for six seconds.
Toomey said of the aftermath of the accident: “When I made it to the hospital they thought that I only had a 3% chance of survival.”
Having spent 157 nights in hospital and finding himself and his loved ones in a desperate situation, Toomey and his family received vital support from the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
The IJF pledge to help any current or former BHA licenced jockey or their family in times of need. Having helped over 1,000 jockeys and their families and pledged more than £18m in charitable assistance, the charity have an essential role in horse racing.
Ahead of this year’s Cheltenham Festival, Toomey is keen to raise awareness about the importance of supporting the IJF.
Toomey on the importance of the IJF to jockeys: “Without the support we get, I dread to think how families would have survived without them.”
Keen to get the public thinking about the dangers faced by jockeys ahead of next week’s Cheltenham Festival, Brian Toomey has expressed his support for Oddschecker’s IJF campaign.
Oddschecker will be donating 5p for every £1+ Cheltenham bet placed through their site to the Injured Jockeys Fund.
Toomey reminded punters: “We’re the people that are steering them round, we’re the people that are winning your bet.”
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek: “Speaking to Brian and those other people whose lives have been helped by the IJF has shown me just how crucial the work of the charity is. Anyone who is looking forward to having a bet during the Festival should be keen to support the cause.”
