The Hunt family fundraiser has smashed its £50,000 target within days as the horse racing community donated thousands to the cause.

Ascot Racecourse and notable jockeys are among 1,300 contributors to the GoFundMe which was set up by broadcaster Matt Chapman on Saturday, July 13, for the BBC correspondent John Hunt and his daughter Amy.

Mr Chapman appealed for the public’s help after the Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt were murdered in Bushey last Tuesday, July 9.

(Top left)Hannah Hunt. (Bottom Left) Louise Hunt. (Right) John and Carol Hunt pictured in 2015.(Top left)Hannah Hunt. (Bottom Left) Louise Hunt. (Right) John and Carol Hunt pictured in 2015. (Image: Image: Facebook, Hannah Hunt, Louise Hunt, Carol Hunt.) Today, the fundraiser stands at over £50,000 with the largest donations of £5,000 and £3,500 coming from anonymous sources.

Ascot Racecourse has donated £1,000 and racehorse syndicate Racing for a Cause pledged £500, adding: “Words can't express the shock and sorrow we all feel after hearing this terrible news. 

“Racing for a Cause and all at Michael Blake racing send their love and support to John and Amy and their friends and family.”

View the fundraiser here.

Ascot Racecourse donated £1,000 to the GoFundMe.Ascot Racecourse donated £1,000 to the GoFundMe. Jockey David Dunsdon put £2,500 towards the GoFundMe, while riders Freddy Tylicki and Jonjo O’Neill Jr also contributed £1,000 and £500 respectively.

Mr Chapman thanked the 1,300 people who have shown their support so far as the GoFundMe’s target was raised to £75,000.

In their donation, Alicia & Michelle D wrote they had had the "absolute privilege" of knowing Hannah Hunt.

"A beautiful, bubbly and selfless girl who cared so much about people feeling their best," they added. "No words can take away this pain but hope you can feel the love for your beautiful family."

Multiple jockeys such as Jonjo O'Neill Jr have donated to the cause.Multiple jockeys such as Jonjo O'Neill Jr have donated to the cause. (Image: David Davies/PA Wire for The Jockey Club)

Hannah Bhimani also wrote: "Words cannot begin to convey the shock and sorrow I feel for you and your family.

"Hannah was such a wonderful person, full of kindness and warmth, and her presence brought joy to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. My deepest condolences to your family."

It comes after John Hunt urged people to “make the most of every day” in a message read to BBC by Mr Chapman.

"Family means more to some than others and for John, his family unit was something he absolutely adored," Mr Chapman said.

John Hunt told people that you never know when it’s going to be the last day you see your family.John Hunt told people that you never know when it’s going to be the last day you see your family. (Image: Facebook, Carol Hunt.) “He told me ‘Matty, the message I would tell everyone is you never know when it’s going to be the last day you see your family'.