THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Worcester branch was given the rare opportunity to sponsor a race at a recent meeting at the city’s racecourse.

The race was named The Lifeboats Saving Lives At Sea Handicap Steeple Chase after sponsors Geoff and Carrie Button decided to dedicate the race.

As part of the afternoon’s event, John Bartholomew, chairman of the Worcester RNLI branch and secretary Mike Townley were invited to join the sponsors to watch the race.

The branch committee members also held a bucket collection at the end of racing and collected a total of £325. Mr Townley said: “Grateful thanks are given to Geoff and Carrie Button for their generosity.”