The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced today (25 April) that it would donate HK$10 million to support immediate relief work for people affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Ya'an, Sichuan on 20 April.
Following the earlier devastating earthquake in Sichuan five years ago, the Club pledged HK$1 billion to help restore medical and education services there. A dedicated team of professionals was stationed in Sichuan to monitor progress and ensure quality of the Club-supported reconstruction projects.
Among the reconstruction projects supported by the Club was an extension to the Ya'an Vocational College. The new building has stood up well to the latest earthquake, with no structural damage. However, other facilities in the campus have suffered damage to varying degrees, while more than 400 students living in heavily-affected areas nearby have lost their homes. Despite this, medical and nursing students of the College have put their problems aside and volunteered their services to help the earthquake victims in local hospitals and affected areas.
The Club’s latest donation will in particular provide immediate support to affected students of Ya'an Vocational College and to the relief efforts of the Club-supported institutions. It will cover areas like shelter and supplies, as well as equipping the students with necessary resources to dedicate their efforts and skills in the front-line relief work to helping the needy.
The donation will be made through the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong to the Sichuan provincial and Ya'an city authorities, as well as to the Ya'an Vocational College and other units. The Club stresses that all funds will be monitored closely, ensuring that resources can reach the designated agencies.
In addition to Ya'an Vocational College, other Club-funded reconstruction projects include Mianyang 3rd City Hospital HKJC Medical Complex, Mianyang Youxian Zhongxing HKJC Junior Middle School, Deyang HKJC No. 5 Middle School, Sichuan HKJC Olympic School and Sichuan University–Hong Kong Polytechnic University Institute for Disaster Management & Reconstruction. None of these projects has sustained any damage in the latest earthquake.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations but also a world top 15 charitable organisation and Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.7 billion in 2012. It is also a major taxpayer, Hong Kong's single largest by far, generating over HK$16 billion a year for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious, with more than 23,000 members. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.
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Students of Ya'an Vocational College have volunteered their services to help the earthquake victims. Some have helped set up shelters for medical purposes.
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A medical student from Ya'an Vocational College arrives in Lushan county, one of the most heavily affected areas, soon after the earthquake, offering voluntary medication to victims.
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