Jockey Club funds redevelopment of PHAB camp to promote integration between able-bodied and disabled people

07/16/2016

In 1978, to enable both able-bodied and disabled residents to enjoy a wider variety of recreational facilities and to promote integration, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust funded the establishment of the PHAB Camp in Pok Fu Lam, the city’s first camp tailored for people with disabilities. Recently, the Trust has supported the PHAB to comprehensively redevelop the camp. Now offering additional and more modern and sports facilities, it has been renamed the Jockey Club PHAB Camp.

Today (16 July) Club Deputy Chairman Anthony Chow joined Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam, Honorary Presidents of Hong Kong PHAB Association Dr Eric Li and Professor Chow Shew-ping, PHAB Chairman Professor Frederick Ho, Paralympic gold medallist So Wah-wai and artist Alan Tam at the Jockey Club PHAB Camp Redevelopment Launch Ceremony.

Anthony Chow told the guests that he was delighted to witness the completion of the upgrade, as the camp had easier access and better sports facilities after the redevelopment. “The Club is dedicated to promoting integration between able-bodied and disabled people, and the Jockey Club PHAB Camp is a result of our long-standing co-operation with PHAB,” he noted.

The reconstruction project, involving a further donation of some HK$95 million from the Club’s Charities Trust, has seen all the existing facilities at the Jockey Club PHAB Camp upgraded, and many new sports facilities and green features added. The new facilities include:

-    Sports facilities suitable for both able-bodied and disabled people, including a wheelchair accessible rock climbing wall, an outdoor swimming pool equipped with an electric lift facility, a fencing room and an indoor airsoft shooting range
-    Environment-friendly facilities such as solar panels, wind turbines and an aquaponics system
-    Dormitories equipped with barrier-free toilets and bathrooms

In addition, the residential capacity of the redeveloped camp has been increased from 100 to 124 and its day camp capacity from 60 to 160. The enhanced facilities will enable staff to arrange educational, ecological, adventure and other themed events. Camps promoting integration will also be held from time to time to help able-bodied campers understand more about disabled people and to develop a positive outlook on life. It is expected that 39,000 campers will benefit from the new campus.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2014/15, its donations reached a record HK$3.87 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,300 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$20.05 billion in 2014/15. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,000 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.