All proceeds from the upcoming Sha Tin meeting on Sunday will be donated to support victims and their families from the Tai Po fire, according to a Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) release. The fire ravaged a public housing estate in Tai Po, Hong Kong earlier this week, killing over 125 people.
The HKJC said in a statement, “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives during the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as well as the injuries and personal loss suffered by many others. The Club has announced its first tranche donation of HK$100 million, through its Charities Trust, to support victims and the families of the deceased. The Club has also reviewed all of its operations to ensure that in every aspect of its activities we recognize the terrible impact of this tragedy.
“Moreover, the race meeting scheduled to take place on Sunday will be conducted on a fully scaled back basis. The meeting will be held behind closed doors with only owners, stewards, voting members and their invited guests in attendance. There will be no sponsors. The stewards of the Club, officials, trainers and jockeys will observe a minute of silence and jockeys will wear black armbands as a mark of respect. There will be no live music. Off-course betting branches will provide essential customer services only. Members and public customers with table or seating reservations in racecourses and off-course betting branches will be refunded.
“All gross income from this race meeting, estimated to be around HK$70 million, will be donated to support those affected by the tragedy, in consultation with the Government. This brings the Club's total contribution to around HK$170 million [€18,821,712].”
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