Corporate News

Jockey Club funds more mobile classrooms to spread drug-free healthy messages to students

11/17/2014

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$4.23 million to the Life Education Activity Programme (LEAP) to purchase and equip two more mobile classrooms that provide internationally recognised health-based drug prevention programmes to students throughout the city.

Last Friday, Club’s Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip joined HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and spouse, LEAP Chairman James Tong, LEAP’s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam and other guests to officiate at the commissioning ceremony of the two new mobile classrooms as well as celebrate LEAP’s 20th Anniversary.

Dr Ip said the Club treasured its long-time partnership with LEAP. “As the Club celebrates its own 130th Anniversary, we look forward to many more years joining hands with LEAP to provide health-based education programmes to empower young people to build a healthy, safe and positive life, and to prevent substance abuse,” he added.

The two new mobile classrooms feature the latest motion-sensor and Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Under a relaxed environment, students can learn more about their bodies and the harmful effects of drugs in an interactive way.

Since the 1990s, the Trust has donated some HK$30 million to fund LEAP projects including the purchase of eight mobile classrooms, renovation of its office and introduction of the Special Needs Programme for students in special schools under the Club’s Community Project Grant.  Another recent donation covered the production of training materials for the Special Needs Programme. With the commencement of the new mobile classrooms, more than 100,000 kindergarten, primary, secondary and special needs students are expected to benefit annually by next year.

In addition, the Trust initiated “P.A.T.H.S. to Adulthood: A Jockey Club Youth Enhancement Scheme” in 2005 in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department and Education Bureau. Renowned academics from five local universities established a research team to develop a range of youth development programmes for local students. Anti-drug education programmes were specially developed to better equip young people to resist the temptation of drugs.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class horse racing operator and Hong Kong’s largest community benefactor, as well as one of Asia’s most prestigious membership clubs. Operating as a not-for-profit organisation, the Club allocates its surplus funds for charitable and community projects. In 2013/14, its donations reached a record $3.6 billion, and in the last decade alone it supported over 1,275 projects. The Club is also Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer, contributing a record HK$19.58 billion in 2013/14. With about 70% of its revenue given back to society every year through donations and tax contributions, The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a significantly higher return to the community than any other racing and/or sports betting organisation in the world. As a socially responsible organisation, the Club helps Government combat illegal betting and advocates responsible gambling. The Club is also one of Hong Kong’s largest employers with over 24,800 full-time and part-time staff. Committed to global excellence and giving back to society, the Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (1st left) presents a symbolic key to the two new mobile classrooms to LEAP Chairman James Tong (2nd right).
Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (1st left) presents a symbolic key to the two new mobile classrooms to LEAP Chairman James Tong (2nd right).

Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community Leong Cheung (right) and LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (centre).
Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (left), the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community Leong Cheung (right) and LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (centre).

Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (1st right), Swire Pacific Limited Chairman John Slosar (2nd right) and LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (1st left) receive souvenirs from HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (2nd left) to thank them for the support to LEAP.
Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (1st right), Swire Pacific Limited Chairman John Slosar (2nd right) and LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (1st left) receive souvenirs from HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (2nd left) to thank them for the support to LEAP.

Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (3rd right) joins the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community Leong Cheung (2nd right), HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and spouse (6th to 7th right), LEAP Chairman James Tong (1st right), LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (5th left) and other guests to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of LEAP.
Club Chairman Dr Simon S O Ip (3rd right) joins the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities and Community Leong Cheung (2nd right), HKSAR Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and spouse (6th to 7th right), LEAP Chairman James Tong (1st right), LEAPa£į?s Life Buddy Vivienne Tam (5th left) and other guests to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of LEAP.

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