A TEAM of amateur riders have signed up to race in front of 20,000 people at York’s Macmillan Charity Raceday.

The 12 brave riders - including a carer, a cancer survivor, and a TV presenter - are facing months of training to prepare them to race in front of huge crowds on June 17.

Those taking part in the Ride of their Lives have all have pledged to raise at least £3,000 each for Macmillan.

Stella Riley, 41, owner of a baby swimming business, from Fangfoss, near York, said: "I want to make my two young boys proud. I want them to see that determination and hard work pays off. I want them to see me not only take on the challenge to train to ride a racehorse but also to raise lots of money for such an amazing charity.

"Macmillan is a charity very close to my heart. I lost both my grandparents to cancer; my husband lost his parents by the age of 12, and then his uncle only last year. The nurses, support, information and education the charity provides is invaluable to so many."

The riders will all enter the record books as the race is part of the oldest and biggest charity raceday in the world. It is this year marking its 47th anniversary and has raised more than £7 million for charity.

In the months to come, they will be given expert riding tuition at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster and a training day back at York with former champion jockey Kevin Darley.

To buy tickets for Macmillan Charity Raceday, visit yorkracecourse.co.uk.