Jockey Club champions contributions to the betterment of society at Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025

The Hong Kong Volunteer Award Presentation Ceremony cum Forum 2025 was held today (9 January) to recognise the many volunteers who have contributed to the betterment of our society. The Award is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust through its JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, launched and funded by the Trust in 2022 to promote a culture of volunteering and community care.

Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief (2nd left); Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs (2nd right); Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (1st left); and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service (1st right), officiate at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Co-organised by the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau and the Agency for Volunteer Service, the event's opening ceremony was officiated by guests including Janet Lee, wife of the HKSAR Chief Executive and Volunteer-in-Chief; Clarence Leung, HKSAR Government Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Melissa Kaye Pang, Chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.

Club Steward Jackson Woo highlighted the Club's long-standing partnership with the Agency for Volunteer Service, dating back to the 1970s, in promoting volunteering. In recent years, through the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER initiative, the Club has broadened its support by promoting the concept of “Volunteer for Impact" and introducing many exclusive awards that recognise contributions from diverse sectors and foster the sustainable development of volunteer services. He added that the Club's CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team participates in a variety of community services, including supporting the recently concluded 15th National Games, bringing care and warmth to communities across Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with an Outstanding Corporate Award

The Hong Kong Jockey Club was honoured with a Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award.

The CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team comprises dedicated employees who, in 2024 alone, contributed over 25,000 volunteering hours, benefiting more than 740,000 people. At this year's Hong Kong Volunteer Award, the Club was awarded, Outstanding Corporate Award and Top Ten Highest Volunteer Hour Award, underscoring the dedication and impact of its volunteer team.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (first row, 8th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (first row, 9th left), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team.

The integrated platform launched under JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER has attracted over 23,000 registered volunteers to date, with cumulative service hours close to 270,000.

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (centre), with recipients of the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award and the Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award.

Since 2023, the Club has supported awards under the Hong Kong Volunteer Award scheme through JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER including the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Evergreen Volunteer Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Caring School Award, the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Evergreen Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours), the JC VOLUNTEER TOETHER Rising Star Volunteer Award (Volunteer Hours) and the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Caring School, all of which celebrate exceptional volunteering efforts. The Club also supports the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER Outstanding Rising Star Volunteer Award, which honours individuals who are volunteering for the first time or returning to volunteer work, recognising their achievements and contributions. Further details can be found on the Hong Kong Volunteer Award website: https://hkvaward.hk/

Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (back row, 12th left), and Freely Cheng, the Club’s Head of External Affairs (back row, centre), with members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and the awarded JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER volunteers.

JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER was launched in collaboration with 12 partner organisations. It is designed to encourage and mobilise primary and secondary school students, families, working adults, people aged 50+ and retirees as well as the general public to do good for society. It has also created the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER PLATFORM in collaboration with six major volunteer matching hubs in Hong Kong to help people identify volunteering opportunities and register for and keep track of their volunteering activities.

The Club's support for the JC VOLUNTEER TOGETHER, 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 Jockey Club SCENES Building was officially opened today (28 June). The building, alongside the newly built Lo Koon Wing Building and refurbished Bradbury Building, is part of the enhancement works at Tai Tam Scout Centre campsite to support The Scout Association of Hong Kong’s nature and environmental programmes. The project is funded by a donation of nearly HK$100 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

The new building incorporates green elements such as solar panels, and adopts low-carbon, sustainable architectural design principles, including nature-responsive features that optimise natural daylight, energy efficiency, and thermal comfort. The project has also achieved a provisional BEAM Plus Gold rating, showcasing sustainable building principles in practice. As the third Scout Centre of Excellence for Nature, Environment and Sustainability (SCENES) in Asia and the first of its kind in Hong Kong, the Tai Tam Scout Centre will benefit from the facilities upgrade. The improvements enhance the campsite’s sustainability and help it leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a regional hub for environmental education to nurture environmental stewardship while empowering young people to become responsible future leaders. The centre is expected to welcome more school groups, NGOs and youth organisations, with capacity to serve up to 60,000 visitors annually.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building at the Tai Tam Scout Centre.

Officiating at the opening ceremony were Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government; Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong; David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong and other guests.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said this project demonstrates the long-standing partnership between the Club and The Scout Association of Hong Kong. Over the years, the Club has actively supported social welfare organisations in reducing carbon emissions, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening community resilience to climate change through multi-sector collaboration and innovative thinking. This project reflects the Club’s commitment to promoting sustainability as one of its key impact programmes.

Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Jockey Club SCENES Building, redeveloped from a former administration office, addresses the limitations of ageing facilities while enhancing the capacity and functionality of the Tai Tam Scout Centre. The sustainability features will also help reduce the campsite’s impact on the environment, while strengthening its ability to meet the international standards of SCENES, accredited by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM).

The Trust’s donation also supports new or upgraded facilities at the Lo Koon Wing Building and the Bradbury Building. These include multi-purpose learning spaces, lecture rooms, workshops, laboratories, eco-friendly accommodation and barrier-free access, creating a more inclusive and enriched learning environment. Beyond serving local communities, the enhancements also foster knowledge exchange and collaboration with parties outside Hong Kong.

Alice Mak, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government (4th left); Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (4th right); Dr Wilson Lai, Chief Commissioner of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd left); and David Yip, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Scout Association of Hong Kong (3rd right) and other guests officiate at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club SCENES Building.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club SCENES Building, 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.

Guests at the Jockey Club SCENES Building.