The Racing Foundation, set up to distribute funds received from the sale of the Tote to Betfred, has announced the award of grants totalling £501,609 to six charities working within racing.
Two joint-programmes run by the British Racing School and Northern Racing College have been among the initiatives to benefit – a three-year grant of £98,609 was awarded for a life skills programme for 16 to 18-year-olds attending the schools’ foundation courses, while a two-year grant of £120,000 was given for a flexible learning programme which sees 14 to 16-year-olds attend the racing schools one day per week and work towards a Diploma in Racehorse Care.
The Racing Foundation awarded £225,000 to the New Astley Club to support the delivery of RACEFIT, an injury rehabilitation service for jockeys and stable staff. The service will be delivered from the club’s new gym and physiotherapy suite in Newmarket, which will be re-launched later this year as ‘The Racing Centre’. The project is in association with the Injured Jockeys Fund and Racing Welfare.
Roger Weatherby, Chairman of the Racing Foundation, said: “During our last funding round, we were particularly pleased to receive joint grant applications from the British Racing School and the Northern Racing College for two high quality programmes.
“The racing schools provide exceptional training and employment opportunities for young people and we are delighted to be able to support them.”
The Racing Foundation’s next funding round closes for applications on June 27. Further details on how to apply are available at www.racingfoundation.co.uk
