DEXTER, Exeter Racecourse’s much-loved mascot, swapped the parade ring for a special festive mission as he delivered bags of Christmas presents to children on Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

The gifts were donated by generous racegoers who attended Exeter Racecourse’s recent ELF Raceday, held in support of the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF).

Dozens of presents were collected at the racecourse’s gifting drop-off point and will now be shared with children and young patients in the lead-up to Christmas.

General manager Jack Parkinson said: “We held ELF Raceday as a fundraiser for the charity and promoted ourselves as a gifting drop-off point. People have been so kind, with so many gifts donated. So we took them up to the hospital where Dexter delivered them in person.”

ELF, short for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund, is a local charity supporting people across the South West living with blood cancers and blood disorders.

Working closely with the Haematology Centre at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, the charity helps ease the pressures of treatment by offering specialist hospital transport, counselling, financial and practical guidance, and accommodation for families who need to stay nearby.

ELF also provides small patient support grants and helps fund equipment, facilities, and specialist roles to improve care.

Clinical nurse specialist Louise Taylor said: “It is so wonderful to receive all these gifts. Thank you so much to everyone who donated.

“They help children and families that come in over the next few weeks pass the time, and we’ll also offer the gifts to our patients. It will make such a huge difference to them.”

The festive delivery marks a heart-warming end to a raceday that brought supporters together, raised vital funds, and ensured a little extra magic will reach the hospital’s young patients this Christmas.