Link-up with Sandown Racecourse has been a “win-win” outcome for Lower Green Community Centre

For most racegoers that walk through the gates of Sandown Park the only thing that would catch their gaze from the grandstand is the sight of one of Britain’s finest dual-purpose racecourses. 

But located just beyond the railway line that runs along the back of the track is the Lower Green Community Centre, a hub that to a number of people living in the area is an essential commodity. 

With Esher, and the surrounding areas, being among some of the most affluent in Surrey it seems hard to think that there might be families struggling enough to require the need for such a service. 

But as Jenny French, Community Projects Manager at the Lower Green Community Centre, explains, the need for the service is far greater than people might necessarily expect, and one in which the racecourse has helped play a vital role in supporting.  

Jenny said: “This is a very affluent area, and we have got the Chelsea footballers living down the road, but, like everywhere, there are people at the other end who are struggling financially.

“It is the little pockets of deprivation that struggle and over the years we have done a lot to address that as they are hidden, and they do exist.

“You stand in the grandstand at Sandown Park and you are looking at great views, but beyond that on the other side of the railway line there is a lot of social housing.

“There are a lot of hardworking families that are struggling. We might be in Esher and Elmbridge in affluent Surrey, but there are actually hardworking families that need help and support and that is why we exist. 

“We are a support hub so that if people are struggling there is a friendly face they can talk to, and we help them as much as we can and put them in touch with the right people.”

Christmas is meant to be a time of celebration and spreading joy, but for those struggling on a daily basis it is anything but that, with the high levels of financial pressure involved. 

However, in recent years, the team at the Lower Green Community Centre have joined forces with Sandown Park to set up the Gifting Programme across the Betfair Tingle Creek Festival, which will take place across this year’s meeting on Friday and Saturday.

Jenny said: “The team at Sandown Park approached us coming up to four Christmases ago to see how they could work with the local community.

“The idea was at the Tingle Creek Festival, which is one of the busiest of the year, and with it being close to Christmas, they would put out a call to people buying the tickets for the racing to bring a gift for the local community. 

“When we first did it we weren’t quite sure how many gifts we would get, but it has definitely grown over the years.

“It has always been a manageable, but fantastic response, and I would say in terms of numbers of gifts we get a couple of car loads out of it each year.

“We distribute the gifts to people that we have supported throughout the year and it just works really well. It means most families can have up to about six gifts and they can use them for themselves or to give to other family members. 

“It saves them spending a lot of money that they don’t always have. It is a real win-win.”

And not only does the scheme help those most in need at a time when stress levels can be at their highest, but it is something Jenny believes encourages a real feelgood factor, not just for those receiving the gifts, but from those kindly donating them.

She added: “It takes a whole load of stress off them if they are struggling to make ends meet. I’m sure that the people that bring the gifts get pleasure as well, especially if they are supporting a family that might not be as well off as they are. 

“From our point of view, it is very little effort, but the benefit is huge and people really appreciate it. It is the same families each year sadly that we support, but it is a real boost to them. 

“It is a really good way of showing that people care and for the racegoers it is nice to know they are making a big difference. 

“I think the fact that it is local as well is an important thing, people like to give to people locally.

“It is all very well to give aid abroad, but there are people on their doorstep that need help, and if you can help make a little bit of a difference it is a nice feeling all around.”

The long hot days of the summer might seem an eternity ago as the winter starts to bite, but a journey back to the warmer months has seen another link up between the track and community centre established.

She added: “Separately, in the summer, the track has helped facilitate getting a couple of retired racehorses, through trainer Sara Bradstock, to the recreation ground outside the community centre.

“We invite all the families that use the centre and the children get to pet the horses which is really good. 

“It is support in kind, not financial support, but it is wonderful to have them support us. I think it is a win-win for both of us.”

And thanks to the course the centre could benefit indirectly from them financially through the Community Fund for Elmbridge, which this year was launched to coincide with the track’s 150th birthday with guests completing 150 laps of the track to help raise money for the fund.

She added: “The Mayor of Elmbridge has a charity they support each year and this year it coincided with the 150th celebrations of Sandown Park.

“All these ideas came together and Sandown Park launched the mayor’s charity which is called the Elmbridge Community Fund with guests, and staff, walking one hundred and fifty laps of the racecourse to raise money for the fund. 

“Throughout the year those funds have grown through various events, and local charities, which I’m fairly certain we will be one, will be invited to apply for grants from proceeds from that fund. 

“Sandown Park have once again used their fantastic venue to raise these funds. It is a great way to show the community working together to support those that need a bit of help and we are extremely grateful for them.”

This year is the last that Jenny, who will retire from her current role later this month, will play a key role in helping maintain the relationship between the community centre and the track.

However, she believes the bond between will continue to develop in her absence.

Jenny said: “I’m not going to disappear off the face of earth, but I’ve been doing it long enough and this will be my last Christmas appeal. I’m very much involved this year, and I’m sure they will still rope me into doing stuff!

“The team at Sandown Park are very outward looking and they have been great to work with.

“On our part in centre manager Cathy Evans, the relationship between both parties is in safe hands to continue to flourish in the future.”

Press release courtesy of Graham Clark: Sandown Park Racecourse.