Hundreds of thousands of pounds have been raised over the years by greyhounds running for charity – but Mo Twenty One is something of a one off.
‘Mo 21’ Done
The little white and black is a charity greyhound actually named in memory of a greatly loved lady who spent her whole life in the betting industry.
The white and black puppy is named in memory of Mo Done, recently deceased wife of Betfred boss Fred Done.
Popular bookie and TV personality Gary Wiltshire takes up the story.
He said: “I have worked with Fred for many years and got to name him and Mo very well on a personal level. Mo was an amazing woman who was with Fred since the very beginning.
“When betting was still illegal, and mainly run on street corners, she would be one of Fred’s runners and would sign all her betting slips ‘Mo 21’
“She was the cleaner in his first betting shop in Salford and they were inseparable. Make no mistake, behind Betfred was Betmo.
“But Mo was more than just Fred’s support, she was a lovely lady who always had time for people.
“Sharon and I sometimes attended Fred’s fancy parties with millionaires and celebrities, but Mo would always come over for a chat and make you feel special.
“It was at her funeral, and following a lovely speech by her daughter Leigh, that the idea occurred to me to keep Mo’s memory running with a greyhound in her name.
“I asked my old friend Dominic Magnone in Ireland to source me a bitch. I didn’t want the fastest greyhound in Ireland, I wanted the prettiest.
“Sure enough he found Mo whose last three races in Ireland were a fifth and two lasts. He then sent her over free of charge.
“Mo was a Manchester/Salford girl, so it to be at Belle Vue, and Pat Rosney was the obvious choice. Even though he is primarily an open race trainer, as soon as he knew about Mo, he offered to train her (at cost – Ed).
“The GBGB very kindly waived the registration fees and although she was fairly scruffy when she arrived, Mo looks a million dollars since Pat has got to work on her. She isn’t a world beater, but that isn’t the point.
“She will be running in the name of Mos-Family-Friends-Syndicate and Fred and Mo’s family are promising to come and see her run.
“All prize money will be donated to The Christie, the cancer hospital in Manchester where Mo spent her last few weeks receiving incredible care and kindness.
“The whole project has brought out the best in people and I am certain Mo would have approved. In fact, I am so upbeat about it, I am even planning a second greyhound.
“She or she will be called ‘Mo’s Egg And Chips’ because whenever you were with Fred and the subject of meals came up, he would always say ‘I’m going home. Nobody cooks an egg and chips like Mo.”
