79% of parents in East Anglia say cost prevents children from participating in outdoor activities.

 

Parents want children to spend more time outdoors during the summer holidays and call for more cost-effective options

Tess Daly is an ambassador for Great British Racing’s Under 18s Race Free Campaign

A new study has revealed that 79% of parents in the East Anglia believe there aren’t enough low-cost activities available for children during the summer holidays, leading to more children spending fewer hours outside.
In research commissioned by Great British Racing for its ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign, it was found that parents in the region are becoming increasingly concerned with the sedentary lifestyle of their children, with 80% of parents wanting their children to spend more time outdoors during the school holidays.

The majority of outdoor activities on offer, however, are considered to be too expensive, with live sporting events highlighted as being particularly pricey – 71% of parents have been put off taking their children to live sport because of the cost of the ticket, while 66% of parents surveyed do not take their children to live sport at all.

Great British Racing ambassador, and parent of two, Tess Daly commented, “As a parent, the school holidays provide the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with your children, yet finding activities that are stimulating, healthy and affordable can be a challenge. As a child my parents went out of their way to take me to live sport and I do the same for my kids now – there’s nothing better than a day at the races. As well as the thrill of the racing, the kids are able to run around in the fresh air and there are plenty of activities for them too, from having their faces painted to meeting race horses.”

Tess recently visited a racehorse training yard to see the preparation that goes into getting horses ready for the races. You can watch this here. It is available to embed below.
Tess is promoting Great British Racing’s unique ‘Under 18s Race Free’ offering through which accompanied under 18s are admitted free of charge to the vast majority of fixtures at Britain’s 60 racecourses throughout the year, when accompanied by an adult . East Anglia is home to five fantastic racecourses – Chelmsford City; Newmarket Rowley Mile; Newmarket July Course; Fakenham and Great Yarmouth, which between them will be hosting 31 racing fixtures across the summer holidays, including several dedicated family days.

Newmarket will kickstart summer holiday fun in East Anglia with a Schools Out For Summer day on 27th July, followed by a Family Funday and Summer Saturday for children on 23rd and 24th August. Great Yarmouth will host five race days including a Dino Day for children on 25th August, while Chelmsford City will host 14 race meetings over the summer with a Family Day on 14th September to end the summer holidays.

Toby Shaw, Director of Communications and Marketing from Great British Racing said, “We are delighted that through Great British Racing’s ‘Under 18s Race Free’ campaign we can offer children the chance to be part of many live sporting events and experience the unbeatable atmosphere of a day at the races. Residents of East Anglia are fortunate to have five brilliant racecourses on their doorstep and we look forward to welcoming families from the region and beyond to some great days of live racing action this summer.”

As well as unmissable action on the track, racecourses provide a range of free experiences for under 18s including pony rides, the chance to meet a racehorse and fairground attractions, making it a great and affordable day out for all the family.

Find your local family race day here - under18sracefree.com