IT'S not easy in the fund-raising stakes these days, what with heavyweight names lending their time and effort to many a worthy cause. Latest into the fray, so to speak, is Co-operation North, which is holding a corporate raceday in Leopardstown on Saturday September 14th, the day of the Champion Stakes.

At a cost of £1,500 for 10 people, the package includes such diverse treats as a "Bombay Sapphire reception", a celebrity MC and tipster and a jazz band.

Free draws for holidays will also feature, not, as you might think, in Portrush and Newscastle - the Margin will resist the old one about first prize one week, second prize two weeks - but in the marginally more exotic locations of China, Vietnam, India, Australia and Brazil.

Those going to the horsies can roll on to the football final in Croker the next day to see Dublin beat Kerry.