Epsom Downs Racecourse “springs” into action with floral community project

Epsom Downs Racecourse is partnering up with the National Association for Flower Arranging Societies (NAFAS) to raise funds for The Jockey Club partner charities: The Rainbow Trust, The Carers Trust, Box4Kids and Racing Welfare, by inviting racegoers to help create a beautiful floral design.

On Wednesday 24 April, racing returns to Epsom Downs for the Investec Spring Meeting, when the community project will take place. The display will make up the words “THE JOCKEY CLUB” through a riot of different coloured seasonal flowers, including Carnations, Gerberas, Chrysanthemums and Tulips. Guests enjoying the day’s racing will be invited to make a donation and in return, place a flower into the design to become part of this community project.

The Surrey brand of NAFAS is made up of 38 clubs and over 1800 members who have arranged flowers in Ham House, Westminster Abbey, Hampton Court Palace and organised Floral Art Competitions at the RHS Wisley Garden Flower Show, alongside hosting competitive floral art shows throughout the year.

NAFAS spokesperson Jane Rickard said:

“For this special Race Day we are delighted to work with The Jockey Club to help raise some money for its charities. We shall be there to oversee the whole exercise and really hope that the racegoers are generous and enter into the spirit of the idea.”

The Investec Spring Meeting on 24th April marks the start of the racing season at Epsom Downs Racecourse and the charity Racing to School will also be in attendance, introducing the sport to pupils from Box Hill Primary School. The feature race that day is the Grade 3 Blue Riband Trial Stakes, which gives automatic entry into the Investec Derby for the winner of the race. The Epsom season consists of 11 race meetings, including the flagship Investec Derby Festival on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June.

The Jockey Club has been working with these partner charities since 2016, alongside Racing Welfare, The Jockey Club’s Official Charity, the only charity that supports all people who work in racing.

Carers Trust improves support services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring unpaid for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health problems. There are an estimated seven million carers in the UK today.

Rainbow Trust children’s charity supports more than 2,000 families in England with a child who has a life-threatening or terminal illness. Rainbow Trust has nine teams of Family Support Workers who provide emotional and practical support to the whole family.

Box4Kids is an initiative of the Barrie Wells Trust charity that arranges for ill children to experience a day out at sporting and entertainment venues across the UK. Private hospitality boxes at Jockey Club Racecourses are offered to Box4Kids for bringing ill children, along with their parents for a VIP day out at the races.

To find out more about NAFAS visit: www.nafas.org.uk

For information and tickets for Epsom Downs Racecourse, visit their website here.