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.
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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.
Jackson Woo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, delivers a speech at the Hong Kong Volunteer Award 2025 Presentation Ceremony.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with five non-governmental organisations (NGOs), launched the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme today. Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for 45 months, the Programme is Hong Kong’s first fall-management initiative to combine judo-based safe landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling. It is expected to benefit around 17,000 older adults in the community aged 60 or above, helping those at moderate to high risk of falling to acquire safe landing and self-protection skills to reduce injuries.
Officiating guests at the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” were Mr Ho Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, the Government of the HKSAR(centre); Ms Pauline Chu, Chief Manager (Community Service Network) of the Primary Healthcare Commission(2nd from right); Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement)of PolyU (3rd from right); Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club(3rd from left); Prof. Marco Pang, Head of RS(2nd from left); Prof. Amy Fu, Associate Head of RS(1st from right); and the the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” Ambassador Mr Shek Sau(1st from left). Photo source: PolyU
According to statistics from the Department of Health, some 16% of older adults in Hong Kong experience at least one fall per year, with approximately one in 10 resulting in fractures. Falls can significantly affect mobility and have a long-term impact on older adults’ physical and mental well-being and quality of life. By identifying those most at risk of falling and managing those risks effectively, the Programme seeks to shift Hong Kong’s public health approach from reactive care to proactive prevention – fostering healthy, independent and active ageing.
A launch ceremony for the Programme was held on the PolyU campus today. Officiating guests were Mr Ho Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China; Ms Pauline Chu, Chief Manager (Community Service Network) of the Primary Healthcare Commission under the Health Bureau; Dr Laura Lo, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; Ms Imelda Chan, Head of Charities (Health & Older Adults Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof. Marco Pang, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) at PolyU; Prof. Amy Fu, Associate Head of RS at PolyU; and Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme Ambassador Mr Shek Sau.
Mr Shek Sau (centre) shared tips for maintaining a healthylifestyle, while Programmeinstructors demonstrated safe landing techniques. Photo source: PolyU
Participants in the Programme receive bone density screening and AI-driven fall-risk assessments developed by RS. Those found eligible are invited to join a 12-week fall preparedness training scheme jointly designed by PolyU researchers and professional judo coaches. This teaches them safe landing and body protection techniques to help reduce the force of impact and minimise the risk of fractures caused by falls. Consultations with PolyU physiotherapists are also open to participants.
Mr Ho Kai-ming said, “I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to The Hong Kong Jockey Club for its generous support, and to PolyU for translating advanced knowledge in rehabilitation sciences into tangible community benefits. The Programme is named ‘SafeMove’, which signifies helping elderly persons enhance their physical flexibility and adaptability so that they can respond calmly to the risk of falling. It marks a shift in the public health paradigm from reactive care to proactive prevention, and aligns closely with the Government’s policy of promoting prevention-oriented elderly care and carer support. Through the Pilot Scheme on Intelligent Accident Detection Systems, the Government is providing high-risk households with real-time detection and support. This complements the ‘safe landing’ training under the Programme, jointly weaving a more robust safety net for elderly persons at home.”
Mr Ho Kai-mingsaid the Programme alignedclosely with theGovernment’s policy of promoting prevention-oriented elderly care and carer support. Photo source: PolyU
Dr Laura Lo remarked, “As an institution committed to addressing societal needs and enhancing community well-being through world-leading research and innovative knowledge, PolyU is proud to see the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme come to life today. This initiative exemplifies our dedication to translating research outcomes into meaningful social impact. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for its generous support of this Programme, and to extend my sincere thanks to our five partner NGOs and the research team from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for their dedication and hard work. Together they have established a cross-sector collaboration platform that connects research, professional services and community networks for the benefit of older adults across Hong Kong.”
Dr Laura Lo said that PolyU is committed to addressing societal needs and enhancing community well-being through world-leading research and innovative knowledge. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the five partner NGOs and the research team from PolyU's Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for their dedication in building cross-sector collaboration platform that connects research, professional services and community networks for the benefit of older adults across Hong Kong. Photo source: PolyU
Ms Imelda Chan added, “Promoting better health is one of the strategic priorities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. Riding on our ongoing commitment to prevent falls and fractures among older adults, the Trust has approved a donation of over HK$119 million to support the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme jointly implemented by PolyU and five NGOs. As Hong Kong’s first large-scale community programme to integrate judo-based landing techniques with the biomechanics of falling, the Programme translates research evidence into innovative primary health-care services and establishes a community-based, sustainable fall management model, demonstrating the Club’s commitment to advancing impactful philanthropy and the betterment of our society.”
MsImelda Chan said,riding on its ongoing commitment to prevent falls and fractures among older adults, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved a donation of over HK$119 million to support the Programme, translating research evidence into innovative primary health-care services. This demonstrates the Club’s commitment to advancing impactful philanthropy and the betterment of our society. Photo source: PolyU
The PolyU research team anticipates that the Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme will help to reduce fall-related injuries and associated health-care expenditure among participants, improve their physical functioning and mobility and alleviate the psychological and social burdens that the fear of falling can create, enhancing overall health and quality of life.
The “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme” is expected to not only strengthen older adults’ fall prevention and self-protection capabilities, but also to enhance their physical resilience and adaptability. The PolyU research team anticipates that the initiative will help reduce fall-related injuries and associated healthcare expenditure, improve physical functioning and mobility, and alleviate the psychological and social burdens arising from the fear of falling, thereby enhancing overall health and quality of life.
PolyUholds the launch ceremony of the “Jockey Club SafeMove Fall Management Programme”. Photo source: PolyU
