15 May 2015
Cessnock trainer Andrew Stapleford is a respected horseman and loving father. Despite having only a handful of starters every season the 47-year old has trained more than his fair share of winners throughout his career. Harness racing has understandably taken ‘a back seat’ recently for Stapleford with news that his 21-year old daughter Sophie has a brain tumour.
Sophie will undergo surgery on Monday at the Prince Of Wales Hospital in Sydney with the cost of the procedure and rehabilitation estimated to be between $60,000 and $80,000. A Goal For Sophie fundraising committee has been formed by friends of Sophie and the Stapleford family to raise money to ease the financial burden and allow Sophie to concentrate on her health and recovery.
A fundraising night is being held at Cessnock Leagues Club on August 1 with entertainment, an auction and raffles to be conducted. HRNSW has donated a $3,000 NSW Breeders Challenge Owners Bonus Certificate for auction on the night.
“The Stapleford family need all the support they can get to help fund the operation and Sophie’s rehabilitation and HRNSW is pleased to offer a bonus certificate to be auctioned at the fundraising night on August 1,” HRNSW CEO John Dumesny said.
“Sophie is a very brave young lady that will undergo a very important operation on Monday and our thoughts are with her and her family at this time.”
Andrew Stapleford confirmed renowned Australian neurosurgeon Dr Charlie Teo will conduct the operation.
“In harness racing terminology when a trainer takes a horse to the races he wants the best driver so he books Luke McCarthy,” Stapleford said.
“We wanted Sophie to be under the care of the best doctor there is and that is why Dr Charlie Teo will be in charge, he is the best.”
The position of the tumour means that the operation will be a very delicate one.
“It is in a difficult spot and they still haven’t been able to diagnose what type of tumour it is, originally it was thought to be a very aggressive one that gobbles up everything in its path and if that is the case then they won’t be able to remove it all.
“That means Sophie may have to undergo more surgery in five, ten or twenty years but we just have our fingers crossed at the moment.”
Sophie is a talented soccer player and her father is proud of the resilience she has shown.
“Sophie has handled it so bravely, things have been a little tense with the operation approaching and I’m pretty sure it will be very emotional in the day leading up to it.”
There is a fundraiser page that has been set up via the Mycause website.
If anyone can assist with donations or prizes for the fundraising evening visit the facebook page – A Goal For Sophie
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 31 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by an industry-appointed Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
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To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
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Name:
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Greg Hayes
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Position:
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Media Co-ordinator
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ghayes@hrnsw.com.au
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