The Betting and Gaming Council has announced a sponsorship deal to help fundraise for several military charities at this year’s Leicester Racecourse Veterans’ Day.
With military veterans invited to the Racecourse as guests of honour, the BGC has heralded today’s (March 8) event as providing a vital opportunity to give back to a community that has ‘sacrificed so much on behalf of this nation’s safety, security and prosperity’.
The gambling trade body is also set to return as sponsor for the BGC Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Handicap Chase, having sponsored the race at last year’s event.
Brigid Simmonds OBE, BGC Chairman, commented: “As a very proud former Captain in the Women’s Royal Army Corps, it gives me enormous pleasure that the Betting and Gaming Council is able to once again sponsor Veterans’ Day at Leicester Racecourse this week, giving us another fantastic opportunity to salute this nation’s special ex-Forces community.
“It is the very least we can do for a community that is too often overlooked in our society and yet gave so much for service to our country.”
The BGC’s Veterans’ Day sponsorship looks to build on the work it has already done to celebrate veterans and support military charities, with its members having gifted nearly £750,000 to armed forces charities in recent years.
This includes The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, SAS Regimental Association, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund, after BGC members pledged profits and donations following the flagship Britannia Stakes race held at Royal Ascot.
Simmonds added: “Raising money for military charities is in the BGC’s DNA, we have done it from day one, and I’m delighted we can confirm that support will continue next year. It is an honour to back this fantastic event which does so much good for our veteran community.”
“Last year, through sponsorship, media rights and the levy, BGC members contributed around £380m to British horse racing. This is part of a wider economic contribution our members make to UK plc, supporting 110,000 jobs, generating £7.1bn for the economy while raising £4.2bn in taxes.”
