The Jockey Club Carer Space Project hosted a symposium today (18 November) to share initial outcomes and experience gained during the past two years. Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the five-year project aims to enhance the skills and well being of carers, who play an essential role in supporting Hong Kong’s growing population of elderly, by connecting them to timely and appropriate services.
HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Jackson Woo (right), Convenor of the Advisory Committee of the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Professor Patrick Nip (left) attended the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Symposium.
Attending guests included HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Jackson Woo, Convenor of the Advisory Committee of the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Professor Patrick Nip and representatives of project partners.
In his welcome address, Club Steward Jackson Woo highlighted that carers play a vital role in an ageing society and require robust support from all sectors. In this regard, the Club has taken a proactive role in funding initiatives to support carers, including the Jockey Club Carer Space Project, which aims to deliver evidence-based and innovative services, raise public awareness of carers, and foster a carer-friendly community. Looking ahead, the Club is committed to advancing cross-sectoral collaboration and striving to improve quality of life for the elderly.
Club Steward Jackson Woo delivers a speech at the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Symposium.
The symposium featured a capacity building seminar and a thematic panel discussion, bringing together industry leaders to explore how cross-sectoral collaboration can strengthen community capacity and establish innovative and sustainable support networks for carers. The Project Principal Investigator Professor Vivian Lou also shared the project’s initial outcomes, underscoring the importance and value of developing a carer-centric service model. The symposium attracted some 350 local experts and industry representatives.
Local experts and representatives from project partners participated in the Jockey Club Carer Space Project Symposium to explore how cross-sectoral collaboration can establish innovative and sustainable support networks for carers.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust initiated and funded the Jockey Club Carer Space Project with an approved donation of HK$290 million in 2023. Partnering with six non governmental organisations and the Sau Po Centre on Ageing of The University of Hong Kong, the project is establishing designated Carer Spaces and service points across the city. Core service components include caregiving planning, professional counselling, skills training and mutual support groups. It also offers a flexible respite service and ensures carers have access to essential support throughout their caregiving journey. In addition to developing an evidence based service model to benchmark service quality, the project aims to raise public awareness and promote a carer-friendly community.
The five-year project is expected to benefit more than 40,000 carers and elderly. To date, the project has established a total of 18 Carer Spaces and service points in the city, providing timely and appropriate support to about 11,000 carers and elderly individuals in need.
The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Carer Space Project, like all its charity and community contributions, 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.
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.
