Chelmsford City Racecourse Marks Over £10,000 Raised in Landmark ‘10 Years of Community’ Campaign

Chelmsford, Essex – May 2025 – As Chelmsford City Racecourse celebrates its tenth anniversary year, its flagship 10 Years of Community campaign has already surpassed a major milestone, raising over £10,000 in support of vital UK charities during the first quarter of 2025. With community spirit at its heart, the campaign has so far seen remarkable engagement from local residents, volunteers, and racegoers, in partnership with three outstanding charities: the Injured Jockeys Fund, Dementia UK, and the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA).

A Year of Purpose and Participation

The campaign launched with a commitment to support ten handpicked charitable organisations throughout the racecourse’s anniversary year, combining raceday fundraising, community outreach, and special events.

Following a successful start to the year with fundraising efforts supporting the Injured Jockeys Fund, Chelmsford City Racecourse turned its attention to Dementia UK in March. Dementia affects over 944,000 people across the UK, with someone developing the condition every three minutes. The charity’s Admiral Nurses offer vital support to families navigating the challenges of dementia care.

Volunteer Ambassador Gordon, who sadly lost his wife to dementia, attended several race meetings in March, engaging with racegoers and raising both awareness and donations. His heartfelt mission was clear: “I lost my wife following a stroke that caused dementia, and so I am happy to give up my time to help fundraise as every little bit helps. Not many people realise that dementia kills more people than heart attacks and cancer put together—it’s a shocking statistic.”

A highlight of this partnership was the ‘Time for a Cuppa’ community event, hosted at the racecourse, which also raised £339.50!. Guests from local care homes were welcomed for an uplifting afternoon featuring tea, cake, and interactive activities. One of the day’s most memorable moments was the visit from I Am The Man, Chelmsford’s retired racehorse ambassador, bringing joy to carers and those they support. Attendees also enjoyed a raffle, with a prize hamper won by Roy, who attended alongside his wife, who is living with dementia. Dementia UK and Essex Dementia Care provided on-site support, and all proceeds contributed directly to the racecourse’s fundraising total.

Demi, Community Fundraising Volunteer Officer at Dementia UK, praised the collaboration:

“Thank you so much to Chelmsford City Racecourse for supporting Dementia UK by allowing us to collect at three of their recent fixtures and for hosting a wonderful ‘Time for a Cuppa’ event. We managed to raise over £500! Our Volunteer Ambassador Gordon had a wonderful time meeting so many lovely people at the race days—we are so grateful for the generous support.”

Good Friday Festival: Fun, Family, and Fundraising for RDA

April brought even greater momentum with the Good Friday Festival, the Racecourse’s biggest raceday of the year. Chelmsford welcomed the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) as its featured charity partner for the day, bringing the transformative power of equine therapy into the spotlight.

RDA volunteers created a lively, family-friendly environment with a tombola, lucky dip, and a “dress like a jockey” station, offering fun and accessible experiences for children and families. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and the tireless efforts of the RDA team, the event raised over £1,400 to support the charity’s work.

Since 1969, RDA has helped more than 25,000 disabled children and adults each year through therapeutic riding, carriage driving, and horse care activities. With over 13,000 volunteers, 1,500 coaches, and 2,700 horses, they are a leader in disability sport and wellbeing. The charity faces growing demand, with more people than ever living with disabilities, long-term conditions, and mental health challenges.

In the lead-up to Good Friday, Chelmsford’s Community & Charity team visited REACH, a local RDA centre, where they met beneficiaries Didge and Albert and saw firsthand the life-changing work taking place. Didge’s mother, Caroline, shared her gratitude:

“I had no expectations, just hoped he would show some signs of enjoyment. To my surprise not only did he enjoy it—he has changed. He’s so much more vocal, stronger, and engaged. I cannot praise Louise and the team at REACH enough.”

Michael Bishop, CEO of RDA, added:

“We are thrilled to be selected as a charity partner, offering a unique opportunity to highlight the life-changing impact of RDA’s work to the Chelmsford City Racecourse audience. Nearly 1 in 4 people in the UK are disabled, and through the unique connection with horses, RDA helps improve lives. We are incredibly grateful to Chelmsford City Racecourse for their support.”

Looking Ahead: More Charities, More Community

Jo, Head of Community & Charity at Chelmsford City Racecourse, reflected on the campaign’s success so far:

“We’ve had a strong start to the year, proudly welcoming the first three of our ten charity partners. We look forward to supporting and collaborating with the remaining charities throughout 2025.

In addition to raceday fundraising, we’re also organising community events, challenges, and volunteering initiatives beyond the racecourse. Our ambitious goal would not be possible without the involvement of these incredible charities and their inspiring volunteers.”

Join Us: Charity Gala Lunch – 7 August 2025

As part of its 10th Anniversary celebrations, Chelmsford City Racecourse is hosting a Charity Gala Lunch on Tuesday 7th August, during the Chelmsford City Cup. Set in the elegant Queen Charlotte trackside marquee, guests will enjoy an afternoon of thrilling racing, fine hospitality, and fundraising—where 100% of table sale profits will be donated to the ten chosen charities.

Supporters, businesses, and community groups are warmly invited to join this special occasion and be part of a campaign that’s already making a lasting difference.

To enquire or reserve your place at the Charity Gala Lunch, please contact: info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com