Jockey Club congratulates the first cohort of graduates and mentors of the Strive and Rise Programme

04/11/2023 17:47

Last year, the HKSAR Government launched the Strive and Rise Programme to help 2,800 young people from underprivileged families broaden their horizons, reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life, set goals for their future, and strive for upward mobility. The programme provides students with development training, financial support and pairs each young person with a mentor to provide personal guidance.

To celebrate the graduation of the first cohort of students, as well as to thank mentors and supporting organisations for their support, a graduation ceremony was held today (4 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Club Chairman Michael Lee attended the ceremony on behalf of The Hong Kong Jockey Club to show support for the programme and to thank Club mentors for sharing their time and experience with their young mentees.

Two of the Club mentors, Amy Chan, Head of Racing Talent Training and Headmistress of the Apprentice Jockeys’ School and Emily Hung, Executive Manager of IT Contract and Partner Management received the Affectionate and Caring Award in recognition of their outstanding mentorship The award was presented by HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki and Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Clarence Leung Wang-ching.

As one of the vice-chairpersons of the Partners’ Board, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been pleased to support the Strive and Rise Programme via an approved donation from its Charities Trust. In the past year, the Club has welcomed more than 900 young people and their mentors to visit its facilities, including the Equine Hospital, Tuen Mun Public Riding School, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, Happy Valley Clubhouse and Tai Kwun. 25 Club mentors, including former recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships, were nominated to share their life experience with mentees.

The Club’s support for the Strive and Rise Programme, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax, and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.