A group of UK charities have received funding following a donation from a variety of British bookmakers, who handed over their profits from the Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot.
Beneficiary organisations include Prostate Cancer UK, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Missing People, HEROS, GoRacingGreen and the Churchill Lines Foundation.
This marks the fifth year the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has run its Britannia Stakes charity race, raising over £3m for various charities and over £6m in total since its formation in 2019.
Michael Dugher, Outgoing CEO and Acting Chair of the BGC, stated: “It’s fantastic news that BGC members are able to once again make such a huge donation to a range of good causes doing incredible work in communities up and down the country.
“I’d like to thank all our incredible BGC members who took part this year – as well as their customers who enjoyed a flutter on the race – and I’d like to thank Ascot for their continued support."
Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, added: “We are once again thrilled at the generosity of everyone at the Betting and Gaming Council and their betting operator members for helping fund lifesaving research and raising vital awareness about prostate cancer.
“We’re proud to be part of this brilliant incentive, which will help fund that research towards a screening programme, so we can catch prostate cancer early and save lives. From the punters to the bookmakers and all the parties involved, we thank everyone for their continued support.”
Finally, GoRacingGreen Founder Debbie Matthews, said: “As a single-person run initiative, with so few resources, this funding is vital to expanding the work GoRacingGreen aims to achieve going forward and getting more people to the races.
“An educational programme will now be developed across the Racing Industry to make them aware of the challenges people face accessing race meetings. I cannot thank the BGC enough, and as a whole community we are overwhelmingly grateful. This will change people's lives.”
