Greyhound who spent much of career at local track rehomed with paddock steward after ending superb career

Runs For Heroes, the Romford racer who raised money for the Help for Heroes charity, has been retired and homed.

His trainer Martyn Wiley said yesterday: “The story has come full circle and we’re delighted to have found him a terrific home with one of the paddock stewards at Romford dog track.

“He raised around £6,500 for Help for Heroes through his owners the Westcliff rugby club, the merchandising we did at Romford when he ran and prize-money.

“Coral paid an additional £50 for each race he won — he won 14 — plus there was the additional money he won through representing Romford in the Bags/SIS Track Championship — he won a leg at Crayford as well.”

Runs For Heroes started his career in A6 and rose up the ranks at Romford to compete in open class and A1 and won a heat of the Romford Puppy Cup in 2013 and reached the final of that event won by Ballymac Marine.

“Make no mistake he was a very good dog and the staff at Gable Kennels did a fantastic job with him - he was regularly featured on our website - thegableracingkennels.com - and there’s a cracking picture of him and Abbie (Georghoudis) on there. He had his own fan club at Romford,” added Wiley, who reserved special praise for the Greyhound Sport Medicine.

The Wickford, Essex-based trainer added: “They offered their veterinary services for Runs For Heroes free of charge and so it’s big thanks to Stefano (Malegori) and his team, plus well done to Mark Arkell (Romford’s assistant RM) who was so helpful in kicking the whole thing off.

“It’s been a great team effort and raised a nice tidy sum for what is a fantastic cause.

‘I’m very proud at what’s been achieved, especially when you think of the people now interested in greyhound racing through the rugby club - his trophies are proudly on the mantlepiece there!”