Ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday 27 June Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) is pleased to announce it has signed The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.
ARC’s five year commitment to The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant pledges ARC to being an armed forces-friendly organisation, the first body in British Racing to make such a commitment. In practice this means that wherever possible ARC will support the employment of veterans young and old, as well their spouses and partners, across its racecourses; offer support to local cadet units offering volunteering opportunities; host Armed Forces themed events and racedays; seek to encourage members of the Armed Forces to attend racedays through flexible ticketing options where possible; and communicate with service personnel through internal communications published by the Armed Forces.
ARC racecourses already partner with, and raise money for, the Armed Forces. This includes the Southern Water Armed Forces Charity Raceday at Fontwell Park last October, sponsorship of races at Lingfield Park by the Royal British Legion and the upcoming Help for Heroes’ Hero Ride in June which will finish at Royal Windsor Racecourse.
On Armed Forces Day this Saturday the team at Doncaster Racecourse will be promoting the ‘Tribute to the Boys’ evening of racing which will take place on 23 July. This will raise money for Falklands Veteran’s Foundation, Pilgrim Bandits and Blind Veterans UK. Doncaster Racecourse has previously hosted several events in aid of Help for Heroes, including a music evening last August with Help for Heroes Patron and chart topper James Blunt.
Susannah Gill, ARC Director of External Affairs, said: “ARC racecourses have been supporting the Armed Forces in numerous ways over the last few years, including a successful Armed Forces themed raceday at Fontwell Park to mark the centenary year of World War One. This proved popular with racegoers and well as helping raise awareness of the fantastic job the Armed Forces do for this country. Following this we wanted to illustrate ARC’s long term commitment to supporting our troops and their families and are delighted to have signed The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. We look forward to continuing to work with the team behind The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant in order to illustrate our support for the Armed Forces in Great Britain.”
Lt Col Graeme Macpherson, SO1 Employer Engagement Headquarters 11 Infantry Brigade, said: “A wide range of companies have now committed their support to the Armed Forces and we are really pleased ARC is the first organisation in British Racing to have signed up to The Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. We look forward to extending our relationship with their racecourses to further raise the profile of, and help support, military personal and their families.”
