Grand National winner Bob Champion (above in 2007) is appealing for help in tracking down pictures of his early life after his personal collection was destroyed in a fire
His Grand National victory in 1981 after beating cancer was a dream come true.
But legendary jump jockey Bob Champion is facing a new challenge – after a collection of photos charting his early life in North Yorkshire was destroyed in a massive fire at a car park next to Liverpool’s Echo Arena on New Year’s Eve.
The 69-year-old, from the market town of Guisborough, had been due to take the pictures to his publisher for an upcoming book.
Now, he is appealing to members of the public for any photos they may have of his early years.
‘If anyone has any interesting photos, I’d love to hear from them. It’s not easy because of copyright,’ he told the Yorkshire Post.
All the cars in the multi-storey car park were destroyed in the 1,000C inferno, and it led to the Liverpool International Horse Show being cancelled that evening.
Champion’s win on Aldaniti at Aintree was the stuff of fairytales.
Champion fought back from testicular cancer to win the Grand National in 1981 (above) on Aldaniti – a horse due for retirement due to a serious leg injury
The collection of photos charting Champion’s early life was destroyed in a massive fire at a car park next to Liverpool’s Echo Arena on New Year’s Eve (pictured)
All the cars in the multi-storey car park were destroyed in the 1,000C inferno, and it led to the Liverpool International Horse Show being cancelled
He had been diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1979, with doctors giving him only a 40 per cent chance of survival and possibly only months to live.
After an extremely aggressive course of chemotherapy, he eventually returned to racing.
His win on Aldaniti, a horse trained by Josh Gifford that had been on the verge of retirement due to a serious leg injury, ranks as one of racing’s all-time classic moments.
The heartwarming victory led to the foundation in 1983 of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
His triumph was made into the film, Champions, in 1984, starring John Hurt as Champion.
Pictures can be emailed to bob@bobchampion.co.uk