2023 Canberra Community Chest winning trainers Matt and Paul Jones with Rise Above CEO Wayne Simpson. Photo: Ben Appleton.
Charities and community organisations from across the Canberra region are gearing up to take part in The Canberra Racing Club Canberra Community Chest race day.
With 11 of the 12 participating charity and community groups already announced, now is the time to cast your vote on who should be the 12th group to take home its share of $50,000.
An independent committee made up of Canberra Business Chamber chair Archie Tsirimokos, Clubs ACT operations manager Kate Palmer and Hands Across Canberra chief executive Genevieve Jacobs were set the difficult task of selecting 10 partners from an incredible list of 29 applicants.
After missing out in 2023, the Canberra Blind Society applied to be a partner, and executive officer Glenn Doney says he’s thrilled the organisation has been selected as it brings much-needed attention to local charities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“By highlighting their services, the Community Chest race day initiative enables charities to reach and positively impact a larger portion of the community,” Glenn says.
“Funds raised from the Canberra Community Chest will help us hire an exercise physiologist to run weekly exercise classes.
“These sessions will give our clients a chance to engage in regular exercise within a safe and supportive environment, promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging them to continue these activities within the broader community,” Glenn says.
Canberra Racing Club chief executive Darren Pearce says he is excited by the diversity and importance of each of the causes supported by the Canberra Community Chest, saying giving back to the community is important to the organisation.
“We have such a wonderful mix of partners this year, each with their own compelling story which obviously spoke to the selection committee,” Darren says.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all of the applicants, I didn’t envy the selection committee’s job and I wish them all the best for the people’s choice award voting campaign.
“We have several important local charities who do so much for our community but also this year we’ll partner with a couple of equine welfare-based organisations which is special for a club who loves horses,” Darren says.
Darren says the club strives to be an industry leader in equine welfare standards and is looking forward to working with Horse Aid and Equine Pathways who share these values.
“We are focused on being a positive force within the Canberra community and look forward to providing a wonderful opportunity for everyone to enjoy top-class racing with purpose,” Darren says.
The remaining 19 eligible applicants will enter a people’s choice award to determine the final beneficiary, with voting now open and closing on Friday 8 November.
Once the 12th partner has been determined by the community, all partners will be invited to a special black-tie event prior to the race day where a representative will randomly draw their equine hero to represent them in the Canberra Community Chest.
The first 11 partners for the 2024 Canberra Community Chest are:
- Bosom Buddies ACT Inc
- Canberra Blind Society Inc.
- Cystic Fibrosis ACT Association
- Equine Pathways Australia Limited
- Horse Aid Ltd
- Lions Youth Haven
- Pegasus Riding for the Disabled ACT
- Project Independence Ltd
- Respite Care for Queanbeyan Incorporated
- Rise Above – Capital Region Cancer Relief
- Win the Day Charity
It is now up to the community to decide the 12th and final Canberra Community Chest partner to race alongside an equine hero to take home its share of the money.
The Canberra Community Chest will be run as a quality open handicap over 1400 m worth $200,000 in addition to the $50,000 community chest. Entry into this community event is free in 2024.
You can vote for which group you think deserves the prize by visiting Thoroughbred Park.
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