Racing Community Backs Record Community Week Effort

More than 90 organisations across British racing are participating in Racing Together Community Week, a nationwide campaign running from May 5 to 11. What began as a single day of volunteering has grown into a coordinated effort lasting a full community week, driven by high levels of interest across the sport.

John Blake, Chief Executive of Racing Together, explained the decision to expand the initiative: “It made sense for this popular initiative to roll out across the community week, with record sign-ups from racing organisations and individuals wishing to contribute to a nationwide effort of volunteering for good causes.”

Now in its sixth year, the campaign continues to grow, with more people stepping forward from racecourses, training yards, ownership groups, and support teams. The activities taking place span a range of local needs, from school outreach and food support to horse racing community clean-up events and wellbeing visits.

One of the most hands-on group efforts is underway in Newmarket. Led by The Racing Centre, staff from different racing organisations are teaming up to help improve five courtyard gardens at Newmarket horse racing community Hospital. The gardens are used by patients, staff and visitors alike. Volunteers support the gardening, maintenance tasks and repairs that need to be carried out in order to make the gardens more welcoming and “useable”.

This horse racing community based project is one example of how the broader campaign encourages people to apply their time and resources to carry out practical tasks that are of benefit to others who live or work close by, in their local or meaningful horse racing community.

Blake noted, “It is great that so many people have stuck their hands up and have found creative ways to improve a small part of life across neighbourhoods in their areas. It works because people find a cause or task that interests them and join forces with other colleagues to plan.”

The support shown during Community Week covers a wide range of efforts. Some organisations are working with food banks, delivering both supplies and volunteer hours. Others are helping out at racehorse rehoming centres, assisting with maintenance and care. Teams are also spending time at schools and care for racehorse rehoming, sharing knowledge, lending a hand, and helping with day-to-day tasks.

Staff well-being programs, beautification initiatives in horse racing community spaces, and open days are also included among the community week’s activities. The common theme across these activities is to willingly contribute time and effort to tasks that positively impact others. Racehorse rehoming to save more horses that need care.

Take-up grows every single year, and many teams use this community week as an opportunity to build on their regular horse racing community initiatives. Although the national campaign runs for just one community week, the effort behind it extends far beyond those seven days.

Racing Together provides coordination and support for racing’s wider involvement in horse racing community work. It acts as a central point of reference and helps raise awareness of the many ways the industry can have a positive social impact.

Blake said, “We showcase racing’s effort during this community week, but so much giving back occurs across the year.”

This community week serves to highlight what’s already happening, while also encouraging more people to take part. It brings attention to the fact that local efforts, large or small that can lead to meaningful outcomes when carried out consistently and with purpose.

What stands out most about this year’s campaign is the level of cooperation between people and organisations. Racing Together Community Week reflects a shared view that the sport is well-placed to contribute positively to neighbourhoods across the country.The steady growth of this initiative over the years shows what’s possible when people act on their willingness to get involved. With more than 90 participating groups, the 2025 edition has set a new benchmark and left a strong impression both inside and outside the sport.