Volunteers from The Hong Kong Jockey Club prepare 30,000 COVID test kits as infections increase amid fifth wave

Volunteers from The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s CARE@hkjc team helped assemble and pack 30,000 COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits in a bid to provide timely assistance to the needy amidst the fifth wave of the pandemic.

Strictly adhering to social-distancing measures and stringent precautionary procedures, a total of more than 160 Club volunteers took part in the four-day activity at Tai Kwun – Centre for Heritage and Arts, including Club Chairman Philip Chen.

“Hong Kong is facing an unprecedented challenge, with many people in the community urgently needing help to protect themselves and their families. We want to swiftly help NGOs reach out to those who desperately need our help at this very critical time.  We must always remember that we are in this together. So we must help each other and we must stay positive. Only together can we overcome,” Mr Chen said.

“I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to each and every one of the Club volunteers who took part in this crucial anti-pandemic work. They hold the values of the Club in acting for the betterment of society dear to their hearts.”

The RAT kits, supplied by the Central and Western District Office, will be distributed to residents who have been exposed to infection risks to undertake self-tests. This is intended to achieve the objective of “early identification, early isolation and early treatment” and to prevent transmission of the virus in the community.

True to its purpose of acting continually for the betterment of society, the Club has been standing with the people of Hong Kong since the start of the pandemic, supporting a wide range of initiatives. The Club has approved over HK$1.7 billion in funding over the past two years to address the pandemic’s impact, including the latest HK$209 million in response to the fifth wave. Cumulatively over three million people have benefited.

 

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2020/21, the Club returned a total of HK$29.4 billion to the community. This included HK$24.9 billion to the Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$4.5 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city's major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world's top ten charity donors. The Club is always "riding high together for a better future" with the people of Hong Kong.

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