Racing gives back to its communities on record Racing Together Community Day

• Racing Together Community Day sees over 75 racing employee teams volunteering in local communities nationwide
• Racing Together Community Day is racing’s annual, national day of volunteering, now in its fifth year
• Over 40 charities were supported as teams nationwide gave 700 hours to support local causes and community groups

On 25 May, a record 75-plus employee teams from across racing volunteered in their local communities, volunteering 700 hours for over 40 charities, making this a record year for Racing Together Community Day.

John Blake, Chief Executive of Racing Together, said: “The 2023 Community Day has been the biggest yet with employee groups needing no more than a reminder of the date before they swung into action. The enthusiasm and creativity shown by a range of teams has made a real impact on local causes and the communities around racing hubs.

“It’s no surprise that food banks have been a focus for many given the current crisis and racing’s efforts will have a direct and immediate benefit to families needing help nationwide. 

“Community Day is now well established within the calendar but is only a snapshot of the work that racing people do year-round on a voluntary basis, of which the industry should be very proud.

“We would like to thank the many teams who played a part in the day and the Horserace Betting Levy Board for supporting our work.”

The Coronation of King Charles III took place two weeks before Community Day and as part of ‘The Big Help Out’ initiative, people were invited to take part in volunteering projects within their local community.

A wide range of racing organisations signed up for the fifth Racing Together Community Day, engaging with the communities in which they operate in a number of ways. One specific growth area was among the training yards – 11 volunteered this year. The team at Kubler Racing delivered homemade cakes to the elderly in Lambourn while staff at Susan Corbett’s volunteered at their local care home; Fergal O’Brien’s colleagues supported Cotswold Riding for the Disabled. 

Many participants focused on food poverty, with big food bank collections taking place in racing hubs. The Racing Centre in Newmarket organized drop off points, supported by Michelle Fernandes, Lycett’s Insurance, Dylan Cunha Racing, Simon Pearce Racing and Gay Kelleway.

Racing Welfare staff were to the fore as usual and volunteered at regional food banks, including Lambourn Junction, supported by Ed Walker Racing and the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Racecourses were quick adopters of this day and this year 27 racecourses (including the Racecourse Association) across Britain also supported the initiative through litter picks, local community-tidying schemes, and helping the needs of local causes and collecting items for riding schools. First-time supporters of the day included the Tote Group, Weatherbys, Goffs, Kingsclere training yard and a range of other charities and studs.

To view a selection of images of the day click here.