Racing’s National day of Volunteering – finding ways to help others is more important than ever

Today would have been the annual Racing Together Community Day, where teams from across the sport give up their time to volunteer for good causes nationwide. Of course, this activity cannot take place in its usual form today, but we have still seen an extraordinary effort from racing staff helping their communities. You can read about the many examples of racing businesses joining the national effort to help those who have been impacted by the coronavirus impact below.

We look forward to re-scheduling this fantastic day when we’re sure they will be so many good causes helped by enthusiastic groups nationwide – we hope the efforts we read about each day will keep on running even after lockdown.

In the meantime, we have been reflecting back on our reporting of last year’s great efforts.

Sport out in force for successful Community day

Over 200 staff from across 58 various racing-related business have made the 2019 Racing Together Community day a record success, much in the face of wretched weather across the country.

This nationwide effort has supported many local communities and charities via litter clear-ups; DIY projects; a community walk; contributions to foodbanks; gardening activities and careers and employability events. Over £54,000 was raised through this initiative, the bulk of which coming through Hereford racecourse’s charity raceday in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.

Also benefitting from racing’s day of employee volunteering on May 9th was a range of worthwhile causes, including Mencap West Berkshire; Daisy’s Dream; Riding for the Disabled; Headway; Thames Hospice; Racehorse Rescue Centre, the British Racing School and Young Epilepsy, to name a few.

Go Racing in Yorkshire organised a clean-up around Langton Wold Gallops in Malton. The team was made up of staff from Wetherby and Catterick racecourses; William Hill staff and Raceday presenter Adele Mulrennan. Trainer Julie Camacho and jockey Kieran Schofield also joined in after finishing morning stables.

Over at Chester, the racecourse celebrated Community day by hosting 31 pupils from nearby Hellsby Hillside School for a day of learning with Racing to School, and up in Scotland, Musselburgh also welcomed a school group.

“I had a very enjoyable time at Musselburgh. We had a small number of 15 year olds not doing exams – most of whom had special needs,” said volunteer and charity Trustee Morag Gray.

“We did team building, barista training and a tour of the racecourse. It was a joy to see them engage and grow in confidence as the morning went on.”

Improving the local environment was the challenge for two Newmarket groups that brought together employees from the British Racing School; charity Racing Welfare, heath staff from Jockey Club Estates and representatives from Discover Newmarket. They were joined by trainer James Fanshawe as they took on a litter pick around the racecourse and along Devil’s Dyke.

“We have 59 racecourses and they are all an important part of their communities. I have Cheltenham racecourse and it’s marvellous that they are part of Community day,” added Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury.