Jockey Club Education Fund for Rehabilitation to help people in custody prepare for re-entry into society

30/11/2023 18:35

People in custody will soon have the opportunity to further their education with the help of the newly established Jockey Club Education Fund for Rehabilitation. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of HK$43 million to establish the Education Fund, which aims to better equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to reintegrate into the community through courses offered at Ethics College.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Steward Bernard Chan joined HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk, Commissioner of Correctional Services Wong Kwok-hing and other guests at the opening ceremony of Ethics College today (30 November).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Bernard Chan said the Club hopes this donation will help to equip those pursuing further studies to better integrate into society, rebuild their lives and contribute to Hong Kong in the future.

In addition to paying tuition fees for face-to-face courses at Ethics College, the Education Fund will fund the purchase of interactive classroom equipment, live broadcasting facilities, tablets and computers to support teaching and learning activities in correctional institutions. The fund will also help the students study on locally accredited post-secondary education programmes or to take professional qualification courses.

The Club’s support for the Education Fund for Rehabilitation, 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 also one of the world’s top ten charity donors.