Jockey Club launches second phase of JC PROJECT LIFT to address needs of grassroots families

Today (10 June) The Hong Kong Jockey Club launched the second phase of JC PROJECT LIFT, a major initiative to address the needs of grassroots families. It is being funded with an approved donation of HK$720 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Following the launch of the first phase to address the needs of families in transitional housing, this second phase will expand the programme to include the first two light public housing projects.

The second phase was inaugurated at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The New Chapter Begins with You” ceremony. Officiating guests included HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, Club Steward Philip Lo, and JC PROJECT LIFT Advisory Committee Convenor Clement Cheung.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (left), and JC PROJECT LIFT Advisory Committee Convenor Clement Cheung (right) officiate at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” ceremony.

Club Steward Philip Lo said, “Youth development and poverty alleviation is one of the key focus areas of the Club’s charities strategy. The Club remains committed to launching timely and diverse support projects through collaborative efforts and innovative thinking. We hope this project can serve as an effective poverty alleviation model for others, so helping to promote greater social mobility in housing environments across Hong Kong.” JC PROJECT LIFT, created and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with the support of the HKSAR Government’s Housing Bureau and Labour and Welfare Bureau, is a five-year project which aims to benefit over 14,000 families in 26 locations comprising 24 transitional housing projects and two light housing projects. It is being run in collaboration with 18 partners.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” event.

Referencing the successful Graduation Approach used in rural settings overseas, JC PROJECT LIFT aims to reduce poverty levels through the pioneering Urban Graduation Approach tailored to local challenges. The project comprises five targeted social interventions to strengthen family capacities. The Family Capacity Building Planner (FCBP) helps families identify strengths and set long-term goals. The Family Capacity Building Fund offers financial assistance through subsidies ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. An innovative savings scheme helps families enhance economic stability. The Jockey Club Level-Up Empowerment Employment Centre helps participants improve job skills and explore new career opportunities with the help of professional advisors. The community space, JC LIFT Hub, promotes community support and well-being, aiming to enhance families’ confidence and self-esteem by encouraging them to expand their social networks and engage with the wider community.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho and Club Steward Philip Lo tour the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” exhibition.

As the project enters its second phase, and to encourage participation, families with regular savings and stable employment will be eligible for an additional HK$5,000 subsidy under the Family Capacity Building Fund. Over 100 community-engaged participants will serve as LIFT Ambassadors, actively promoting community activities and encouraging more families to participate.

Group photo of guests at the “LIFT Together LIVE Better: The new chapter begins with you” event.

Since its launch, JC PROJECT LIFT has benefited around 7,700 households and trained nearly 60 family capacity building planners to help families develop their plans and goals. Community activities have encouraged residents to step out of their comfort zones and build connections. Nearly 90% of High Yield Savings Scheme (HYS) participants have developed a saving habit, steadily building their financial resources. Further details can be found on the JC PROJECT LIFT website: jcprojectlift.hk.

Beneficiaries of JC PROJECT LIFT join the sharing session.

The Club’s support for JC PROJECT LIFT, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Officiating guests take group photos with JC PROJECT LIFT’s LIFT Ambassadors and beneficiaries.

The TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.