Doncaster Racecourse, the Reuben Foundation and Doncaster Council can today announce a new scheme to support the local community with the purchase and distribution of a wide range of store cupboard and bathroom essentials for food banks in the Town.
Whilst all racing and events currently remain suspended, the team at Doncaster Racecourse have been working with the Council to identify the needs of local people who currently face real hardship throughout the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
As part of Arena Racing Company (“ARC”), Britain’s largest group of horse and greyhound racing venues, Doncaster Racecourse has been able to work with nationwide suppliers to source items, with the generous financial support of the Reuben Foundation.
Supplies including tea, coffee, UHT milk, pasta, noodles, sauce, canned fruit, soap, shower gel and toilet rolls, which will be distributed by Doncaster Council through the Doncaster Community Hub and local food banks, which continue to provide vital services including food deliveries for those who need it.
Thousands of food parcels have been delivered since the launch of the Community Hub in late March, and those who feel they need help and have access to no other support can contact the Doncaster Community Hub, on the helpline on 01302 430300 from 8am-8pm seven days a week, or by email at enquiries@dncommunityhub.org.uk. More information about the Doncaster Community Hub is available at www.dncommunityhub.org.uk.
Executive Director of Doncaster Racecourse, Rachel Harwood, said, “We are well aware of the impact that the current health crisis and lockdown has had on many people in the local area.
“Whilst racing at Doncaster and the other ARC venues has been suspended, we have been pleased to work with the Council and our suppliers, with the significant financial support of the Reuben Foundation, to source these emergency supplies which we hope will benefit a large number of people across our community.
“We very much hope that these supplies will go some way to helping those who are finding things difficult at the moment and to whom we would like to wish all the very best.”
A spokesman for the Reuben Foundation said, “The Reuben Foundation are pleased to support the local community at this time of crisis. This continues our involvement in a number of charitable projects where we have been providing support to families and individuals who are impacted by the pandemic and also in purchasing protective equipment and food for front-line NHS staff and others”.
Cllr Chris McGuinness, Cabinet Member for Communities, the Voluntary Sector and Environment at Doncaster Council said, “It’s fantastic to see Doncaster organisations continuing to come together during this time to support the most vulnerable in our communities, and we would like to thank Doncaster Racecourse and the Reuben Foundation for their generous contribution.”
