Next Sunday, May 20, Clinton Raceway will transform into a sea of purple to support Huron Perth Bruce Grey Epilepsy
. Along with purple balloons, purple logoed t-shirts ($2 each and all money will be donated to HPBG Epilepsy) three generous citizens have donated their bodies to the cause.
According to the executive director of the Huron Perth Bruce Grey Epilepsy Foundation, Andrea Longstaff, "one in 100 Canadians live with epilepsy or seizures, it affects approximately 300,000 people in Canada and nearly 50 million people worldwide. One in 10 people will have a single seizure in their lifetime while one in 100 will have a second seizure and be diagnosed with epilepsy. Unfortunately, due to stigma, ignorance and discrimination, those who have been diagnosed may not disclose it to their classmates, teachers, friends, neighbours, relatives or employers." HPBG Epilepsy will be on site to provide information and answer questions to help those better understand the condition.
Last season, Clinton announcer Greg Blanchard and Marketing Manager for the track, Jessica Carnochan made a friendly wager that saw Greg dawn a pink tutu and cart Jessica down the homestretch on a sulky. This year, that duo and Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn have decided purple was a good colour. On opening day, fans can place their loose change in a jar for each of the three participants, the jar that holds the highest dollar amount will see its donor painted purple trackside, by children in attendance who have been diagnosed with Epilepsy.
“It’s always fun to come to Clinton,” states Blanchard, "you just never know what’s going to happen, and it’s always for a great cause."
This will be Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn's first appearance at Clinton Raceway for such an event.
"I'm Irish so my favorite colour is green but I would be tickled pink to be painted purple because HPBG Epilepsy is such a great cause in our community!"
First race post time for the season opener of harness racing on Sunday, May 20 is 1:30 p.m. In addition to the t-shirts and purple people, there will be a bake sale, bucket auction, and 50/50 draw and the Super Sunday show is back, with more games, more prizes and more fun.
(Clinton)