TV STAR GOES RACING FOR CHARITY

The ex partner of Real Housewives of Cheshire star Ester Dee put his life on the line for charity this week by riding a racehorse at Musselburgh Racecourse’s Afternoon Meeting on Tuesday 24th August.

Property developer Rob Lloyd, who also appeared in the Channel Four show The Secret Millionaire, agreed to race at Musselburgh, near Edinburgh to raise money for the charity SENSE.

Marathon fundraiser Rob, who is battling lymphoma himself after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, took the reins at the end of the afternoon’s racing to watch him ride as fast as he could around the track as part of his year long fundraising campaign called Rob’s Sense-less Challenge.

Dare-devil Rob, who is only an amateur rider, has already completed a James Bond style SkyDive, abseiled in London’s Olympic Park, braved wild water swimming, spent a weekend training with the SAS, and undertaken a marathon bike ride and rock climbing challenges.

He admitted this latest challenge tested his nerve and skill. “I can ride a little bit, but riding a race horse is like going from a Mini to a Maserati and my horse certainly moved fast! I was incredibly nervous riding in front of experienced race goers and race trainers. However, I managed to get around without falling off!”

Although Rob rode solo, his ride, at 5.05pm was televised on the Racing Channel and published on social media channels.

The final straight on the course runs alongside the road and Rob, who has lost two stones in weight so he could compete, added: “When I got to the home straight I was riding faster than the cars outside the track at over 30mph!

“I was lucky to be riding Lord Admiral who was organised for me by the trainer Pat Morris and transported to the course by Kevin Jardine.”

The businessman, who was in the hit Channel Four show in 2009, which sees millionaires go incognito to help others, underwent months of gruelling chemotherapy after splitting with Ester Dee two years ago. He is the father of their toddler daughter Bertie.

Although still on medication himself, Rob has devoted his time to raising funds for the disability Charity Sense after being moved by the story of siblings Mia, three, and Charlie, four, Clucas, who have a rare genetic condition and will probably never walk, see or hear. He has raised almost £50,000 for the charity through his challenges in just a few months.

If you would like to donate, please go to:

www.justgiving.com/campaign/robschallenge

PHOTO CREDIT: GROSSICK PHOTOGRAPHY