The Strive and Rise Programme’s first Hangzhou study tour, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club, neared its end with a closing dinner today (14 August). Chris Sun, HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Xu Junmin, Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of Hangzhou Municipal People's Government; Raymond Tam,Executive Director, Corporate Affairs of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Freely Cheng, Head of External Affairs, The Hong Kong Jockey Club and other guests, including five Club mentors,attended the dinner and engaged with participating students to understand what they learned during their tour.
Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun expressed his gratitude to the Club for supporting the first two student cohorts of the Strive and Rise Programme as well as the Hangzhou study tour, which helped broaden the students’ horizons and reinforce their self-confidence. He also encouraged students to make good use of what they learnt during the visit, to develop a positive outlook on life and goals for their future.
The Club’s Head of External Affairs Freely Cheng, said the Club has supported and initiated various youth development projects over the years, aimed at providing more opportunities for upward mobility among young people. “During the study tour, students were able to experience the rich cultural vibrancy and academic ambience of Hangzhou and explore the latest developments in innovative technology, gaining insight and inspiration for their future career development,” he said. “Students also grasped the opportunity to interact with athletes in Hangzhou, enriching exchange and friendship between young people. All these experiences serve as a valuable asset for their future.”
Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
During the first four days of their five-day tour, the students visited West Lake, top-tier high tech companies and museums, and engaged with various cultural and educational institutions.They also toured the Hangzhou Asian Games Museum and Hangzhou Chenjinglun Sports School, where they gained deeper insight into the equestrian events of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and the Club’s extensive technical support for the events. Club Assistant External Affairs Manager Vivian Kong, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games’ women’s individual épée gold medallist, interacted and exchanged fencing techniques with students at the Sports School.Following the visit, she shared her journey as an athlete and expressed gratitude for the support of family and friends. She said she hopes different sectors of society will continue to support athletes and sports development for young people. The students will visit the Hangzhou International Expo Center, which served as the main venue for the G20 Hangzhou Summit,before returning to Hong Kong.
Image source: The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Youth Development & Poverty Alleviation is one of the strategic focus areas of the Club’s charity strategy. In support of the HKSAR Government’s Strive and Rise Programme, the Club and its Charities Trust has been pleased to donate HK$21 million. This has supported two student cohorts to participate in the programme, with the first cohort launched in 2022, helping the students to develop a positive outlook on life and set goals for their future through tripartite collaboration with the HKSAR Government, the business sector and the community. Apart from providing financial support, the Club also nominated over 40 employees, former recipients of the Club’s Scholarships and fellow practitioners in the sector to become volunteer mentors for the second cohort. Student participants are also invited to visit Club facilities, including Tai Kwun, the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course, the Equine Hospital and Tuen Mun Public Riding School.
In addition, the Club funded this first five-day Hangzhou study tour for over 80 students from the second cohort, enabling them to learn about Hangzhou’s cultural heritage and technological development, and enhance their understanding and pride in the nation.
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.
