Always a popular event in Wales’s racing calendar, the Chepstow Military Race Day held in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity takes place on Wednesday, November 6, and thousands of free tickets are now available.

 Founded and organised since 2013 by Julian Nettlefold, publisher of BATTLESPACE, and Chepstow Events, around £300,000 has been raised for charity at Chepstow Military Race Days. Funds have helped SSAFA to carry on its life-changing work for serving and former Armed Forces personnel, and their families.

 People helped include Gareth, who was medically discharged from the Royal Navy after just two years’ service.

 He said: “I was looking to make my career, my life in the Navy, but a couple of years in I had to leave because of a previously undiagnosed condition that meant I just couldn’t serve. It was a bad time for me, but with the help of a SSAFA caseworker then a mentor, they made sure I never battled alone and supported me into my new job.

 “I couldn’t have done it without them and without SSAFA.”

Mr Nettlefold commented: “We’re building on the success of the event – the platinum sponsor this year is Spectra – with greater table sales and considerable interest in the free entry very kindly given by Chepstow Racecourse to all past and present military personnel.

“This has seen hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for our three chosen charities, SSAFA, The Royal Hospital Chelsea and Combat Stress, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming the Chelsea Pensioners back to Chepstow.”

Tickets are limited to those with a UK Armed Forces connection and for no more than six tickets per booking or household.

To secure free tickets for the race day on Wednesday, November 6, visit chepstow-racecourse.co.uk/whats-on/military-raceday and use the promo code FORCES24.