Fundraising pages set up by Chester Race Company raise substantial donations during COVID-19 outbreak

A Just Giving page set up by Chester Race Company to help support the production of meals for emergency front line workers was quickly re-purposed when it transpired the racecourse could no longer operate the production of meals from the racecourse site.

The racecourse confirmed that all funds would instead be donated direct to the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and £800 was raised by generous donors from the local community and further afield. The monies raised over seven days, will go direct to ‘The Hospital Fund’, a fund which has been set up to support staff across all areas of The Countess & Ellesmere Port Hospital during this very difficult time.

Speaking on behalf of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Nicola Stubbs, Corporate and Events Fundraiser, said:

“We were thrilled to receive this donation from generous members of the public via Chester Racecourse as facilitators of this fundraising page. All monies raised from the page will be allocated to The Countess Charity’s Hospital Fund. This fund is available to all wards for them to request funding for items which will benefit their patients and staff. We are also using this fund to support staff at this difficult time. We are delighted to have received support from Chester Racecourse and are grateful for the donations we have kindly received from the public.”

An additional £785 has been raised in support of the West Cheshire Foodbank via a second Just Giving Page set up by the race company. The page was created for those who wished to donate to the cause but were unable to leave a food parcel at the racecourse drop off point, where many donated physical items in addition to £1,000 worth of food items by the race company.

West Cheshire Foodbank has been providing three-day food parcels and support to people in the region since 2012 and the charity – staffed mainly by volunteers, – gave out 9651 emergency food parcels in the 12 months up to March 31 last year. With the increase in hardship caused by coronavirus, staff are gearing up for a massive rise in demand. Trustees and Staff at West Cheshire Foodbank have been humbled by the generosity of companies and individuals, since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak last month.

Ian Outlon, West Cheshire Foodbank Trustee, said:

“We have been deeply touched that people are thinking about the Foodbank’s users, at such a stressful time for everybody. We would like to thank Chester Racecourse company for their support in raising money from the general public and providing food donations to assist our efforts. Individuals and businesses who are currently unable to make regular food donations, have been pledging cash online or by text to enable the Foodbank to make bulk purchases of food. We are expecting a huge increase in demand in support for local people in financial crisis and it is heart-warming to witness how so many people have rallied to help those in extreme need. Thank you so much.”

Those looking to make a monetary donation to the West Cheshire Foodbank can do so online by clicking here.