The Hong Kong Jockey Club moved quickly into action today (14 May) to launch a public fund-raising drive for earthquake victims in Sichuan, starting at tonight's race meeting at Happy Valley. From now until next Wednesday, 21 May, collection boxes will be set up at the Club's Off-Course Betting Branches, four clubhouses and two racecourses, as well as the Headquarters building at Happy Valley.
The Club had already pledged yesterday that it would make an immediate donation of HK$30 million to the Red Cross Society of China to support their relief work for those affected by the earthquake. Today Club Chairman John C C Chan, accompanied by Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges and Executive Director of Corporate Development Kim Mak, presented the cheque to Deputy Director of the Central Government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Li Gang, who will ensure the money reaches the Red Cross.
"As soon as we heard the terrible news about the Sichuan earthquake, we determined to do whatever we could to help the victims," said Mr Chan. "Besides making our own donation, we are setting up collection boxes at all our racecourses, clubhouses, offices and Off-Course Betting Branches to encourage the public as well as our own Club Members and staff to contribute to the relief effort. We will closely monitor latest developments in the relief work and take further action as necessary."
Mr Li expressed his gratitude for the Club's generosity. "We will definitely pass on the Hong Kong public's care and support to the victims. I believe that with our combined endeavours in the relief work, the worst of the problems will be cleared up soon," he said, adding that he trusted the leadership of the Central Government, the striving efforts of Mainland people and the benevolence of the Hong Kong public to combine together to help see the victims through their difficulties.
The Club is appealing to members of the public to contribute to the earthquake relief work and demonstrate the close relationship and supportive spirit of Hong Kong people to their Mainland compatriots. With immediate effect, donations can be made through collection boxes at the Club's 107 Off-Course Branches, four clubhouses (including the Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse) and two racecourses (on racedays only), as well as the Headquarters building at Happy Valley until 21 May (next Wednesday).
Donations can also be made to a special HSBC account 808-052419-001 in the name of "The Hong Kong Jockey Club !V Earthquake Relief in China". All funds raised by the Club will be used to help earthquake-affected people on the Mainland.
Some of the Club's staff have also organised a fund-raising drive on their own initiative, including 400 employees at the new Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse who have participated for the first time. Mr Chan said that 14 of the Beijing Clubhouse staff had family members in Sichuan when the earthquake struck. Fortunately they have all been reported safe, although many Beijing colleagues are still worried about the damage to their home towns.
