This week South Island apprentice Yong Chew will receive just under $49,000 – money raised by Go Racing through their golf tournament and auction.

The 25-year-old is battling throat cancer, a fight compounded by the fact he has found himself completely isolated from his family and friends due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions.

Keen to support someone in obvious need, Go Racing hosted a golf tournament and auction earlier this month raising $49,000 that will be paid to Chew to help with travel and treatment costs.

“I had no idea how big the fundraiser would become,” Go Racing’s Matt Allnutt said. “We have a very generous bunch of owners and very generous people in the racing industry as a whole. It started as a social golf tournament but we wanted to have a purpose behind it and when we heard about Yong and his situation we wanted to help.

“We had great support from right around New Zealand and internationally with people donating some great items to be auctioned off. To nearly $49,000, it has certainly surpassed any expectations we had when we started out planning this and we are just happy we can do this for Yong.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support from everyone in the industry who donated or purchased at the auction and those who took part in the golf tournament. Thank you.”

Go Racing will continue their philanthropic theme this Saturday when stable star Atishu lines up in the A$7.5m Golden Eagle (1500m) on Saturday.

If she happens to win the rich Sydney feature, 10 percent of her winnings will be donated to Redkite, an organisation that provides emotional, financial and practical support for families who have a child with cancer.

“Hearing about people like Yong and what they are going through really puts things in perspective,” Matt said.

“We like to help out where we can and have an added reason now to cheer on Atishu on Saturday.”