Musselburgh Racecourse is leading the way in supporting campaigner Rhona Elliot’s ambition to have every Scottish racecourse offer free use of mobility scooters.

Awarded the MBE in 2017 for her fundraising activities which has raised more than £135,000 for MS and the Injured Jockeys Fund, Rhona is also the founder of the horseracing owners’ syndicate the MS Borders Racing Club.

Rhona and syndicate members raised £15,000 when they walked and rode 52 miles over the Lammermuir Hills on a route from Musselburgh Racecourse to Kelso Racecourse.

As a regular attendee at racecourses throughout the UK, Jedburgh-based Rhona saw a need to offer better facilities for racegoers who have disabilities.

She said racetracks, and especially Musselburgh, were superb places for disabled people to enjoy a day out, as they offered plenty of flat areas which were easily accessible and suitable for watching all the action.

But she believes more can be done and a good start would be for each of Scotland’s five racecourses to provide mobile scooters on racedays.

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, took on board Rhona’s suggestions and the racecourse invested in two mobile battery-operated scooters which are available free for use on racedays.

Rhona said: “Racecourses are marvellous places for disabled people in that they usually have ample car parking, lots of flat surfaces, good toilet facilities and if the weather is not great there are places where you can take cover.

“However, despite all those positives, some people do find it difficult to get around and they would welcome additional support to make a day at the races an even better experience.

“I noticed that at the larger racecourses in England people could hire mobility scooters and I hope that Scottish courses can at least match this or go better and offer them free. I am delighted Bill Farnsworth had taken up this idea and I am sure the scooters will be very popular at Musselburgh.”

Bill Farnsworth added: “Rhona has done a fantastic job over the years in raising awareness of MS and in supporting the Jack Berry House rehabilitation centre for injured jockeys. We were happy to take on her challenge and hope the scooters will bring added enjoyment to racegoers so they can get around the course more easily and better enjoy all that Musselburgh has to offer on a raceday.”

The mobility scooters are free to use but must be “hired” in advance by phoning the racecourse office on 0131 665 2859.