A local MP was delighted to present a cheque for £650 to a local charity, after winning a special bet on the Grand National.
Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, handed over the cheque to Victoria Marzouki, Chief Executive of Rayleigh and Rochford Association of Voluntary Services (RRAVS), which he won in a special charity challenge organised the bookmakers, William Hill.
Each year, the national bookmaker allows local MPs to place a bet for a charity of their choice. If the horse loses, the charity still receive the stake money - but if it wins - they get that plus the winning odds.
Mark placed a bet on favourite, I Am Maximus, which eventually romped home at 7-1, thus providing a total donation to the charity, of £650, which he then went along to their offices, at the Rayleigh Parish Centre, to present in person.
Commenting on the donation, Mark said:
“I’m not much of a gambler really but I was pleased to take advantage of William Hill’s kind offer, for the benefit of a valued local charity. I did exactly the same last year - on the same horse - which then came in second, so I was delighted when he came home first, this time around! Good luck to RRAVS, who do great work and I know they will put the money to good use.”
