HORSE racing enthusiasts have donated £15,000 in just one week in response to a fundraising campaign launched by the Jersey Race Club to save the future of local racing.
The Island’s lockdown restrictions, imposed in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19, forced the 188-year-old club to delay the start of the 2020 season. It then cancelled all fixtures dashing hopes that a £100,000 shortfall could be recouped at later race meetings.
JRC Secretary Andy Cadoret, who is one of two paid full-time staff being supported by the Government’s co-funded payroll scheme, said the situation was ‘serious’.
‘We have no income. Usually, 80 per cent of our income is from race days and the other 20 per cent is from subscriptions,’ he explained.
‘A lot of people think that, if we are not racing, it doesn’t cost us anything but we still have to maintain the racecourse and keep it in good condition,’ he added.
At the beginning of last week he contacted the club’s 375-strong membership asking them to pay their 2021 subscriptions two months early.
And, a few days later, a JustGiving page was launched which has already raised over £3,000.
Andy is keen to keep the momentum going because, if the JRC fails to meet its target, racing in Jersey will cease.
This would affect many people including local trainers, owners, catering concessions, marquee providers, bookmakers and businesses that support the club.
‘We are being supported by our membership,’ said Andy, ‘and we’ve got the options of boosting posts on social media which are being retweeted by trainers in the UK.’
In addition, a patron’s fund for larger donations has been launched. For more information, Andy can be contacted on 863484. – Ruth Le Cocq
See their ‘JustGiving’ page: https://jerseyraceclub.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e01b2762d6f3e3f8a4fff27dd&id=21b68512b7&e=6479474e0e
