Arena Racing Company (“ARC”), Britain’s largest racecourse and greyhound racing group, and the Reuben Foundation can today announce a new scheme to support local communities surrounding six of its venues.
Working closely with Local Authorities to identify the needs of people who currently face real hardship throughout the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, ARC will supply thousands of emergency essential supply boxes for distribution in the areas surrounding Newcastle, Chepstow, Fontwell, Wolverhampton, Great Yarmouth and Doncaster.
Boxes will contain store cupboard and bathroom essentials, including tea, coffee, UHT milk, pasta, noodles, sauce, canned fruit, soap, shower gel and toilet rolls alongside meal cards, which are specifically designed to help support families and individuals at this difficult time.
Distribution of these boxes will remain the responsibility of each Local Authority, all of which have established emergency food and provision delivery procedures in place, with the aim that over the coming weeks a total of 9,500 boxes will be delivered to those that need them.
ARC Chief Executive, Martin Cruddace said, “We know that our venues are often at the heart of their local communities. Equally, we know how difficult the current health crisis and lockdown has been for many people in those communities, and hope that this scheme will help a large number of people at this difficult time.
“Whilst our businesses across both horse and greyhound racing are shut down, we have been delighted to work with a number of Councils to identify the needs of local people and families who may be finding things difficult at the moment.
“With the significant financial support of the Reuben Foundation, our team and suppliers have been able to put together these essentials boxes, which Councils will be able to distribute to those that need them.
“We very much hope that these supplies will offer some help to those who are finding things difficult at the moment and to whom we would like to wish all the very best.”
A spokesman for the Reuben Foundation said, “The Reuben Foundation are pleased to support local communities at this time of crisis. This continues our involvement in a number of charitable projects where we have been providing support to families and individuals who are impacted by the pandemic and also in purchasing protective equipment and food for front-line NHS staff and others”.
Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council, Pat Ritchie said, “This is a tremendous gesture by ARC and the Reuben Foundation that will make a real difference to the most vulnerable people in Newcastle. These are unprecedented times and it has been heartening to see how the business community has stepped forward to help us source and deliver much-needed food and provisions across the city.”
For more information on each of the six local schemes, and details of where to get specific information about the availability of support from each Local Authority, please see below
NEWCASTLE:
