With no public or private fitness centre in Hong Kong catering for the needs of people with disabilities, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$2.3 million to the Hong Kong Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied Association (PHAB) to purchase special fitness and assessment equipment and set up the city’s first fitness centre for both disabled and able-bodied at the Jockey Club Fitness Centre in Tai Po.
Jockey Club Steward Michael Lee joined PHAB Honorary President Dr Eric Li Ka Cheungi?? Assistant Director (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services) of the Social Welfare Department Cecilia Yuen and PHAB Chairman Professor Frederick Ho at the Centre’s opening ceremony on 8 October.
Mr Lee noted that the Club has long been committed to promoting social inclusion, having donated more than HK$1.9 billion over the past decade to support various projects for the disabled including the provision of wheelchairs and Rehabus services as well as facilities for creating a barrier-free environment. “As the city’s major non-government community benefactor, the Club is delighted to support the establishment of the Jockey Club Fitness Centre which will promote a quality lifestyle to both the able-bodied and disabled through doing exercises.”
Located at Kwong Fuk Estate, the Jockey Club PHAB Fitness Centre provides specialised fitness assessment and consultation, personal training as well as health education for the disabled. Among the range of equipment, one of the highlights is an Italian Kinesis machine, displayed in the Italian Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo 2010, which enables physiotherapists to tailor hundreds of different fitness programmes and allows the disabled to use the machine.
The Centre provides physiotherapy service, physical fitness training programmes, exercise classes, physiotherapist assistant training courses and health education talks. The facility is expected to benefit close to 10,000 people with disabilities over the next three years, helping build up their confidence through better physical condition, in turn increasing their employment opportunities and integration in the community.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects. It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.
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Jockey Club Steward Michael Lee says the Club is delighted to support the establishment of the Jockey Club Fitness Centre which will promote a healthy lifestyle to the able-bodied and disabled through doing exercises.
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Jockey Club Steward Michael Lee (left) receives a souvenir from Hong Kong PHAB Association Honorary President Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung (right) to express his gratitude for the Cluba£į?s support to the Association.
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Officiating guests at todaya£į?s opening ceremony include Jockey Club Steward Michael Lee (5th from left), Hong Kong PHAB Association Honorary President Dr & Mrs Eric Li Ka Cheung (4th from left & 1st from right), Assistant Director (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services) of the Social Welfare Department Cecilia Yuen (5th from right), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (3rd from right) and PHAB Chairman Professor Frederick Ho (4th from right).
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Photos 4/5/6:
Guests and participants promote social inclusion through doing exercise, experience sharing and performance.
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Photos 7/8/9/10:
Guests visit the Centre after the ceremony. The services and equipment provided by the Centre will help the public gain physical fitness and improve their health conditions.
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