The Jockey Club, which stages the Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby, today appointed its first ever Charity Partners to support nationally, in addition to the Group’s commitments to its own Official Charity, Racing Welfare, and local arrangements.
  
Barrie Wells Trust, Rainbow Trust and Carers Trust will work for a two year period with The Jockey Club, which operates 15 racecourses across the UK, The National Stud and major training centres, to raise funds and awareness for the charities, as well as offering access to its racecourses. The Jockey Club’s employees will also fundraise and volunteer for its charities. 

The three charities have been chosen as they play an important role within communities throughout the country and often where The Jockey Club operates. 

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 will be offered to Box4Kids for bringing ill children, along with their parents for a VIP day out at the races. 

The three Charity Partners will complement The Jockey Club’s current work with its Official Charity, Racing Welfare, the only charity that supports all people who work in racing.

Paul Fisher Group Managing Director, Jockey Club Racecourses said;
“All of us at The Jockey Club are delighted to be working with Barrie Wells Trust, Rainbow Trust and Carers Trust over the next two years. All three charities provide a huge amount of amazing support for those in need, in different ways and I am delighted that we will be able to help them in this important work. 

"Around two million people come racing with us each year and close to four million in total visit our venues and I hope that our customers will embrace the different fundraising activities that will be running over the coming months. We are excited and motivated to be working with the charities over the next two years.”

Heather Wood, Chief Executive of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity commented; 
“We are absolutely delighted to be working with The Jockey Club. The partnership will have a huge impact for Rainbow Trust, enabling us to support more families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness. This partnership is a unique opportunity for us and will also offer us the opportunity to promote Rainbow Trust to race-goers at The Jockey Club’s fantastic events and race days.”

Gail Scott-Spicer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, added;
“We are thrilled that The Jockey Club has chosen Carers Trust as a charity partner for the next two years. The partnership will raise vital funds to support some of the UK’s seven million unpaid carers. With The Jockey Club’s high profile brand and key events throughout the year, this partnership is a really special and unique opportunity for Carers Trust to raise awareness of the support services we provide and reach more carers who need our help.”

Barrie Wells, said;
“It is a great honour for the Barrie Wells Trust to be selected as a charity partner by The Jockey Club. Being treated like a VIP for a day at the races, including going into the paddocks, meeting jockeys and even presenting prizes, will be an unforgettable experience and a welcome break from everyday struggles for seriously ill children. We are delighted to partner up with The Jockey Club to provide these amazing opportunities.”