Ascot welcomes Box4Kids families for VIP experience at Spring Family Raceday

Ascot recently welcomed beneficiaries of The Barrie Wells Trust to enjoy a VIP experience at the Spring Family Raceday on 29 March 2026. The charity is founded and funded by Barrie Wells MBE, and this event is part of their Box4Kids initiative.

Box4Kids invites seriously ill and disabled children to enjoy a sporting or entertainment event in the luxury of an executive box. Comfortable and safe, a box is an ideal environment for a child who normally is not able to attend sporting, entertainment events due to their illness or disability. Most importantly, it’s the perfect way to make a child feel special for the day, giving them a VIP experience to remember.

A beneficiary of The Barrie Wells Trust said: “Days like Sunday are very treasured by us and we are very grateful for the opportunity. It was a fabulous experience for Arthur, but also for us as parents too. We go through our extra share of worries, concerns and heartbreaks, and we work hard to make life as normal as it can be for Arthur. It is so nice to be looked after sometimes and shown that the world can be a safe, welcoming place for all of us. Thank you.”

The Trust collaborates with over 300 sports clubs, entertainment venues and box holders who kindly donate their boxes. To date, over 26,000 children and their families have enjoyed a Box4Kids experience. The Trust has a network of over 200 hospitals, hospices, and charities across the UK including Great Ormond Street, Royal Manchester Children’s, Great North Children’s and Alder Hey who nominate children to attend.

Jacqui Greet, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Ascot said: “Each year, we are proud to welcome beneficiaries from Box4Kids, and our teams feel genuinely privileged to create a special day for families facing incredibly challenging circumstances. From getting up close to the horses and meeting jockeys to being up on the podium, we always try to make it a memorable experience for the children.”

How to get involved

Getting involved is easy. Whether you’re a business, a club, event venue or an individual, they invite you to donate your box. Their aim is to make it as simple as possible. Just choose an event you’d like to donate your box for and they do the rest. Their team does all of the logistics, inviting children from local hospitals for the day and hosting them with their families.

To find out more about The Barrie Wells Trust and the Box4Kids initiative click here.