York Racecourse Announces 2026 Community Partners

York Racecourse is delighted to announce its Community Partners for 2026, marking the fourth year of its programme dedicated to supporting local good causes.

After a record number of applications, the selection process meant Friends of Rowntree Park and Bereaved Children Support York have been chosen as this year’s new partners. They join Clifton Green Primary School, with whom the Racecourse continues to enjoy a thriving and impactful relationship.

Friends of Rowntree Park is a volunteer-led registered charity committed to the care and enhancement of one of York’s most cherished green spaces, it sits less than a mile from the Knavesmire. Their work spans gardening, wildlife support, litter picking, community events, educational programmes, and initiatives focused on mental health and wellbeing.

Bereaved Children Support York provides vital help to children and families coping with the death of a loved one. Through compassionate guidance, peer support, and safe spaces to share experiences, the organisation helps young people navigate grief and begin to heal.

As part of the partnership, each charity will receive a £1,000 donation from York Racecourse, alongside a tailored package of benefits. This includes the opportunity to host a raceday bucket collection, complimentary tickets for fundraising initiatives. In addition, both organisations will benefit from access to the Racecourse team’s expertise, spanning public relations, digital and social media, and health and safety support.

The Racecourse also hopes its equine ambassador, Remy, will play a special role in engaging with beneficiaries. Over the past two years, Remy has visited Clifton Green Primary School for assemblies and is set to welcome pupils to his home at New Beginnings near Malton, in the coming weeks.

York Racecourse will continue to build on relationships established in previous years, perhaps best viewed as an alumni scheme for the previous annual partners. From 2025 that mean The Collective Sharehouse and Move the Masses, will still benefit from ongoing support including racecourse visits, continued engagement opportunities, and access to the Racecourse team.

Abigail from Friends of Rowntree Park said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been chosen as a community partner by York Racecourse. As a small charity, mainly powered by volunteers, this kind of support makes a real difference, not only in helping us raise awareness, but in supporting all we do to maintain and improve the park.

Rowntree Park and the Racecourse are both important green spaces in nearby areas of York, and we share a commitment to biodiversity, sustainability and creating places that people can enjoy and feel connected to. It feels like a very natural partnership.

The Racecourse’s support will help us continue and develop our work to enhance biodiversity in the park, from planting and habitat creation to community-led environmental projects. We’re particularly encouraged by their Green Knavesmire 300 strategy and shared ambition to protect and strengthen green spaces for the future.”

Jo from Bereaved Children Support York added:

“We are excited about the partnership and feel so grateful for the opportunity to raise both awareness of what we do and funds for such a crucial cause. We are thrilled by the opportunities this partnership presents, particularly the experiences it can offer to the children and families we support.”

At the Racecourse, the partnership scheme is led by Phil Atkinson, who summed up the initiative by saying, “York Racecourse remains committed to making a positive impact within its local community and looks forward to working closely with its 2026 partners to create meaningful and lasting benefits.”

Read more about the chosen charities below and how you can make a difference

Friends of Rowntree

BCSY

Clifton Green Primary School