Racing charity worker Raye Wilkinson is also an experienced football scout

Raye Wilkinson says he is "humbled" to have received Go Racing in Yorkshire's Lifetime Achievement award.

Wilkinson has run an office in Middleham on behalf of the charity Racing Welfare, formerly the Stable Lads Welfare Trust, for 32 years.

Wilkinson told BBC Radio York: "I feel that the lads and lasses racing in the North have kept me going.

"If anything, I've left my mark by creating a welfare service."

Wilkinson was previously a social worker in Catterick Garrison, but a chance meeting with Middleham trainer Ernie Weymes in 1966 led to his involvement in racing.

"In 1978 I looked at racing from a stable lads' point of view, and realised there was very little welfare cover for them," added Wilkinson.

By October of that year Wilkinson was a full-time worker for the Stable Lads Welfare Trust, and the office in Middleham was opened.

"Racing is a strange industry," said Wilkinson. "The ones with the least experience are often doing the most dangerous job - breaking yearlings in, breaking in two-year-olds.

"I never cease to be amazed at the resilience of people who have been struck down by sudden tragedy, youngsters who have been paralysed.

"I became a link between employer, the injured and their family."

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