SOLDIERS from Chepstow-based 1 Rifles are supporting a big fundraising day at the town's racecourse later this month.

They will be helping raise money for Care for Casualties, one of the Rifles' charities, which provides life changing support to wounded Riflemen, their families and the families of those killed on operations.

General Sir Nick Parker (pictured below right), former Colonel Commandant of The Rifles and his successor, Lieutenant General Sir Nick Carter (below left), are planning to make a special appearance at the Care for Casualties race day on 22nd February.

A total target of £4m has been set by the appeal and previously, when this race day was last held in 2011, £16,000 was raised by generous race goers who kindly contributed to this fantastic cause.

This year, Chepstow racecourse is kindly giving a donation from each ticket sold and the soldiers of 1 Rifles, whose barracks are four miles away, will again form a welcome presence collecting contributions.

The Salamanca and Waterloo bands of The Rifles will be entertaining racegoers from 11.30am and will play as the runners go down to the start for the £25,000 Rifles Handicap Chase at 3.05pm.

The bands will strike up again as General Sir Nick Parker presents the Rifles Cup to the winning connections.

There is more than £75,000 of prize money on offer at this fixture, including the £20,000 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle.

Organiser Jennie Humphreys said: "I hope that everyone will have a wonderful day and generously support the Care for Casualties charity and thus our soldiers while enjoying seven races at Chepstow."

Advance tickets are eligible for a £2 discount from chepstow-racecourse.co.uk; Premier admission is £23, while Grandstand and Paddock is priced at £18.