Jockey Club supports Strive and Rise Programme’s first Hangzhou study tour

In support of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust has been pleased to donate HK$21 million. This has contributed to two student cohorts participating in the programme, helping them broaden theirhorizons,reinforce their self-confidence, develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for the future.

The Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam (second row, 8th left), the Club’s Head of External Affairs Freely Cheng (second row, 9th right), Club Assistant External Affairs Manager and 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ women's individual épée gold medallist Vivian Kong (second row, 9th left), the Club’s mentors and other participants at Hong Kong International Airport before departing to Hangzhou.

In addition, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is also funding the programme’s first Hangzhou five day study tour for over 80 students from the second cohort, enabling them to learn aboutHangzhou’s cultural heritage and technological development and enhancing their understanding and pride in the nation.

To welcome the students to Hangzhou, a dinner was held today (12 August), attended by theHKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki, Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government Xu Weihua, the Club's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam, and guests, including five Club mentors of the students.

HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki (centre), Vice Mayor of Hangzhou Municipal Government Xu Weihua (2nd right), the Club's Executive Director,Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (2nd left), the Club’s Head of External Affairs Freely Cheng (1st right), and Hong Kong Children & Youth Services Director Joyce Lee (1st left) attended the Strive and Rise Programme Hangzhou Study Tour welcome dinner.

The Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki thanked The Hong Kong Jockey Club for serving as Vice-chairperson of the Partners’ Board under the Strive and Rise Programme with great contributions and commitments made. They include the provision of funding support for programme implementation, the nomination of staff to be mentors, and the arrangement ofdistinctive group activities for mentees to broaden their horizons and enrich their knowledge.

Mr Chan added that Hong Kong athletes have shone through with outstanding performances atthe Hangzhou Asian Games last year and the Paris Olympic Games this year. He was pleased to learn that Olympic-gold medal-winning Hong Kong fencer Vivian Kong has joined the Hangzhou study tour to share with mentees of the Strive and Rise Programme her stories of endeavours and success. He encouraged the mentees to learn the Hong Kong spirit – the “strive and-rise” and “never-give-up” spirit – of Hong Kong athletes and endeavour to achieve their goals. He expressed his confidence that they will give full play to their strengths and achieve their dreams.

HKSAR Government Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki (centre), the Club's Executive Director, Corporate Affairs Raymond Tam (right), and Club Assistant External Affairs Manager and 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ women's individual épée gold medallist Vivian Kong (left) share their insights on the spirit of sports with the students.

The Club’s Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam said Youth Development is one of the Club’s charity priority areas. Over the years, the Club has launched many initiatives to encourage young people to become active citizens and to make a difference in society. It has also sought to cultivate their sense of cultural identity and their pride in the nation. With the Strive and Rise Programme being one of the HKSAR Government’s key youth initiatives, the Club is pleased to participate and to have supported this worthy cause since its inception.

He also noted that the technology, culture and sports development in Hangzhou is unique. It istherefore an excellent opportunity for Hong Kong’s young people to experience Chinese civilization, as well as witness the rapid development of the country's innovation and technology. This is why the Club is so pleased to sponsor this Hangzhou study tour.

Talent performance by students at the Hangzhou Study Tour welcome dinner.

During their five-day visit to Hangzhou, the students will explore the world-renowned West Lake, tour top-tier high-tech companies, visit museums, and experience different cultural andeducational facilities. They will also visit the Hangzhou Asian Games Museum to gain a deeper insight into the behind-the-scenes preparation and support for the games. This includes the Club’s technical support for the equestrian events, for which it was recognised as an “Outstanding Contributor to the Hangzhou Asian Games" by the Hangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee.

The first cohort of the Strive and Rise Programme was launched in 2022. Through tripartite collaboration with the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community, the programme aims to help secondary school students set goals for the future and strive for upwardmobility.

Students visit the renowned West Lake in Hangzhou.

As with the first cohort, the Club will not only be providing financial support but will be encouraging its employees, former recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships andfellow practitioners in the sector to become volunteer mentors for the second cohort. Studentparticipants will also be invited to visit the Club’s facilities, including Tai Kwun, The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

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

To encourage everyone to lend a helping hand, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust initiated and funded the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER starting from 2022. This includes support for the Hong Kong Volunteer Award, which recognises the many eople who have contributed to the betterment of our society.

Today (10 December) saw the presentation of this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service. Officiating guests included Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of Agency for Volunteer Services.

Warner Cheuk, HKSAR Government Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration (centre); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Acting Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd left); Tian Guiyu, Deputy Director of Department of Social Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (1st right); Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Services (1st left) officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Club Steward Lester Huang said the Club has been closely collaborating with the Agency for Volunteer Service since the 1970s to promote volunteering. Last year, through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, the Club supported new awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme to recognise volunteers from different sectors and backgrounds. Moving forward, the Club will continue to launch volunteer projects designed to encourage more people to volunteer and to help people in need.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the HongKong Volunteer Award 2024 presentation ceremony.

Since last year, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative. The awards include theJC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Top 10 Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club is also supporting the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which recognises people who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteering for their achievement and contribution.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (7th right), with members of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The Club has always been a strong supporter of volunteering. In addition to the volunteer awards supported by its Charities Trust, the Club has its own CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, comprising employees who actively help out in the community. In 2023, the Club’s volunteer team contributed over 23,000 volunteering hours, positively impacting more than 670,000 people. At this year’s Hong Kong Volunteer Award, The Hong Kong Jockey Club was awarded an Outstanding Corporate Award, Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Gold Award in recognition of the achievements of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (1st left), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://www.hkv-award.hk/

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for the community. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM to help people identify volunteering opportunities, and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

Lester Huang, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (left), and JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Awardee Kitty Siu.

The Club’s support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, like all its charity donations,is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing andwagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities forthe community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award,Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours) Top Ten Highest olunteer Hour, and Corporate & Non-Commercial Organisation (Volunteer Hours)Gold Award.

The Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises employees who actively help out in the community.