The Jockey Club is teaming up with Cheltenham Foodbank to together support and provide emergency food to people in poverty by encouraging racegoers at The Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham (Friday 15th & 16th December) to donate food items over the two days of racing.

 

Alongside the quality racing taking place on the track over the weekend, racegoers are encouraged to bring along items from an approved list to donate to the cause.

 

This winter, food banks in Trussell Trust’s network are expecting to provide over one million emergency food parcels. The racecourse is hoping that their support could help the charity provide emergency food this winter and help to support the long term aim to create a future where nobody needs to rely on a food bank for the essentials.

 

From tinned fruit to laundry detergent pods, racegoers are encouraged to bring a variety of items to the collection points which can be found at the Left Luggage areas on the racecourse.

 

Ian Renton, Managing Director, The Jockey Club, said: “We are delighted to be working with Cheltenham Foodbank to try and offer our help and support this Christmas.

 

“While we are able to enjoy two wonderful days of sport this weekend, it is important that we do our bit to ensure that we can support those who may need our help over the Festive period.

 

“I am sure that the racing community will once again do all that they can to help.”

 

Previously staged as The International, the final race meeting of the calendar year at the Home of Jump Racing is now known as The Christmas Meeting. From mulled wine to the racecourse’s very first Christmas Grotto on the Saturday, a day at the races is the perfect way to kickstart Festive celebrations.

 

Saturday will host the Christmas Extravaganza themed family fun area including the chance to meet Father Christmas and his elves in Santa’s Grotto. The elves will be on hand throughout the day on Saturday to help with racegoers Christmas crafts including - letters to Santa, making a magical Christmas wish to leave on the special night and designing snowflakes.

 

If children are feeling inspired by what they see on the track, Pampered Pony rides will also be available from Santa's Grotto on Saturday from 10am until 3:30pm for children of all ages to enjoy around the tented village.

 

Festive music will be aplenty throughout both days as local choir Got2Sing will be performing in the Parade Ring ahead of racing. The familiar faces of the Hip Cats will return for the two days to provide festive music and entertainment throughout the day.

 

Tickets for both days of The Christmas Meeting, including hospitality packages and restaurants as well as further details on the Foodbank Collection can be found on the Cheltenham Racecourse website www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

 

Approved items for donation include:

 

Food

UHT milk, tinned meat (hotdogs, meatballs etc.), tinned fish, tinned fruit, sponge/rice puddings, coffee (small jars), long-life juice, pasta sauce, tinned veg (potatoes, carrots, green beans, tomatoes), tinned meals (spaghetti, chicken or veg curries, chilli), tinned soup

 

Non-food

Shower gel, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, toilet rolls, washing up liquid, laundry detergent pods