British Racing’s Community Engagement Grew By 44% In 2021
Over a quarter of British racecourses served as vaccination hubs
British racing’s community activity grew by 44% in 2021 according to its Directory of Community Engagement and Education Activity, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“Racing Together, the umbrella partnership for community‐facing activity, is pleased to report that the challenges of the pandemic are being met with a determined and creative response by the sport, which continues to give back a range of voluntary support to help its communities, many struggling in the crisis,” said John Blake from Racing Together.
“There are ambitious plans in motion for 2022 across many partnerships and key issues, such as education, mental and physical health, and connecting the public to the very best attributes and opportunities the sport offers – to both humans and horses. This work is now fundamental to how the sport creates a sustainable future within society.”
Among the key achievements in 2021 were:-
Coronavirus Response
Over a quarter of British racecourses served as vaccination hubs.
The Sport As A Powerful Fundraiser
The WellChild Gold Cup is a landmark charity partnership between racing and a nationwide charity, raising over £200,000. Betting and Gaming Council members donated £1.25 million to Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, the three Armed Forces charities and Care radio from the Britannia Stakes’ profits. The Magnolia Cup at Goodwood raised £230,000 for SmartWorks charity. Riders in York’s Macmillan Charity raised over £150,000. The Burrow Seven syndicate has donated £100,000 to the MND Association since it began.
Diversity And Inclusion
Racing celebrated Pride Month and joined the Rainbow Laces campaign with its own ‘Racing is Everyone’s Sport’ messaging, while British racecourses joined the global Sunflower Lanyard Scheme via the Racecourse Association to recognise and offer assistance for racegoers with hidden disabilities.
Heather Small performed at Lingfield Park for a United Against Racism event in partnership with Take The Reins.
Racing Together is proud to continue as the communications hub for the Diversity in Racing Steering Group, and well as being a signatory to its Industry Commitment.
Racing‐wide Partnerships
During 2022, British racing will give over 35,000 tickets to key and emergency workers through a new partnership with Blue Light Card, the Racecourse Association and Racing Together. This is in addition to a ten‐year‐old partnership with Tickets4Troops donating over 1.5million tickets to members of the armed forces and their families.
Racing Together’s Directory of Community Engagement and Education Activity celebrated its first birthday and now lists the community activity for 147 organisations across the sport, highlighting the diverse and local focus of this work.
Racing Together Aims:
- Grow Research and Evidence‐base: to measure the sport’s community engagement and education activity and assess areas for growth.
- Education and Development: to raise awareness and further educate the sport about the importance of community engagement and education. To continue to grow communication and sharing the best programmes more widely.
- Specific Programmes: to support and promote emerging programmes and initiatives.
- Covid recovery: support racing organisations to recover and build upon their community programmes.
