Swings & Smiles Announced As Official Charity Partner Of Newbury Racecourse In 2025

Swings & Smiles, a local charity based in Thatcham who offer support for disabled children and their families, have been named as the official charity partner of Newbury Racecourse for 2025. For those children aged between 0-19 years old with a wide range of disabilities and special needs, the charity offers services including respite, family play sessions, youth clubs, sibling support and outreach across Berkshire, North Hampshire & Oxfordshire. Having previously supported racing charities, the selection group within Newbury Racecourse opted to support a local children’s charity in 2025.

The new partnership will commence during the sixth annual Racing Together Community Week, British racing’s national week of employee volunteering, taking place from 5-11 May. The team at Newbury Racecourse will volunteer at the Swings & Smiles centre on May 9 to assist with crucial maintenance tasks including painting, jet washing and gardening. Racing Together Community Week seeks to showcase racing through working in local communities and giving back alongside colleagues.

Throughout the rest of the year at Newbury Racecourse, Swings & Smiles will benefit from numerous fundraising activities undertaken by the racecourse. Discussions are underway for a dedicated family day in August in which Swings & Smiles will have a private space for children and their families to enjoy.

Rhonda Nicklin, Chief Executive Officer of Swings & Smiles, commented: “Partnering with Newbury Racecourse is a real boost for Swings & Smiles. Their commitment to the local community is clear, and we’re grateful to be part of that. This support will help us continue providing vital services to families who are often overlooked. We’re really looking forward to working with them and seeing the impact we can make together.”

Shaun Hinds, Chief Executive Offer at Newbury Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Swings & Smiles for 2025 to help support some of the incredible work they are doing for local families and their children. Walking around the space it is inspirational; you can really see the positive impact that this organisation is having locally here in Newbury. We are looking forward to some of our team from the Racecourse to come and volunteer as part of Racing Together Community Week. It is inspiring to see how we at the Racecourse can think of different ways to support the efforts of this incredible organisation and promote the value and importance of the work they are doing here. We are thrilled to be able to add an extra bit of support to their efforts as part of our ongoing commitment to the local community.”

SWINGS & SMILES