Public and HKJC join hands to bring HK$33m warmth to Mainland snowstorm victims

15 February 2008

Thanks to the public's benevolent support, The Hong Kong Jockey Club will donate another HK$23,594,262.59 to the Hong Kong Red Cross China Relief Fund to help snowstorm victims on the Mainland, it was announced today (15 February).  This includes funds raised from the public during Chinese New Year and a further donation from the Club.  Together with the emergency donation of HK$10 million made by the Club last week, the total amount has now exceeded HK$33 million.

In response to the snowstorms that have affected more than 100 million people on the Mainland, the Club made an immediate donation of HK$10 million to the Relief Fund before the New Year and organised a fund raising drive, Action Red Packets, from 8 to 12 February, calling on the public to donate the lai see money they received over the festive period.  Collection boxes were set up at the Club's Off-Course Betting Branches, clubhouses, racecourses, and Headquarters building.  The public could also make donations directly into a special HSBC account.

Club Chairman Mr John C C Chan praised the public for their enthusiastic response to the fund-raising drive.  "In just the few days of the Chinese New Year holiday, we raised a total of more than HK$3.59 million from the public," he said.  "We should like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their support.  In addition, we committed earlier to contribute a matching donation up to a maximum amount of HK$20 million, and we have now decided to donate the full amount of this.  Together with the immediate donation of HK$10 million made last week, the total amount contributed by the Club and the public has exceeded HK$33 million.

"This money will be donated to the Hong Kong Red Cross China Relief Fund to assist those affected in Hunan to repair water pipes damaged by the snowstorms, and those in Hubei to solve their shelter problems, as many houses there have been destroyed by the severe weather."