Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Pre-school and Children Service Complex under phase two of the development project for Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Village officially opened today (19 November). The complex provides 204 places for children with intellectual disabilities, offering them multifaceted rehabilitation services which include a Special Child Care Centre, Early Education and Training Centre, and Children’s Home. The Club’s Deputy Chairman Lester C H Kwok joined Chief Secretary for Administration the Hon Matthew Cheung and Hong Chi Association’s President Michael Lee and Chairman Owen Chan at the opening ceremony.

Mr Kwok noted that the Club had long been committed to the promotion of social inclusion and had been supporting different projects of Hong Chi Association since 1975. In 2014, the Club’s Charities Trust donated HK$600 million to the redevelopment of Pinehill Village in Tai Po, which became its biggest-ever single donation in the rehabilitation sector. “The Club is dedicated to supporting special education as by funding such projects, we can help children with special learning needs develop their potential and integrate with society,” he said. “In recent years, the Club has taken the initiative to interact with various special schools to learn more about their needs and at the same time promote social inclusion.”

The Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Village development project is divided into three phases. The Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Hostel under phase one has been in service since April 2017, providing hostel places and daytime training for people with moderate intellectual disabilities. The Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Pre-school and Children Service Complex which officially opens today is the second phase put into service. The Day Activity Centre cum Hostel and Integrated Vocational and Rehabilitation Services Centre, along with the newly-renovated Integrated Vocational Training Centre, will form the final phase and come into service in early 2019. Upon completion, the Hong Chi Jockey Club Pinehill Village will provide an additional 834 places and become the largest rehabilitation complex in Hong Kong dedicated to serving people with intellectual disabilities. It will provide those of all ages and types with a wide range of rehabilitation services such as early education and special care for children; and day activities and vocational training for adults.

In addition to this project, the Club’s Charities Trust supports the Jockey Club Hong Chi Lodge which offers intensive on-the-job training programmes in housekeeping and catering services for people with intellectual disabilities. Other projects in which the Club collaborates actively with different organisations in pursuit of appropriate rehabilitation support services include the JC A-Connect: Jockey Club Autism Support Network which is the first of its kind in the city to provide holistic support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder attending mainstream schools, as well as their parents. Apart from meeting such areas of social need, the Club’s Charities Trust, which is one of the world’s top ten charity donors, has in recent years been proactively addressing four strategic areas: the elderly; youth; sports; and arts, culture and heritage.

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 charity 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 2017/18, the Club made a record return to the Government of HK$22.6 billion in duty and profits tax and contributed HK$1.2 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.2 billion. 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.