Arc recognising efforts of NHS staff by donating over 50,000 tickets to meetings

Arena Racecourse Company (Arc) is donating over 50,000 tickets to the NHS as a way of saying thanks to the health service's dedication to tackling the coronavirus pandemic.

Arc will offer 2,400 admissions to each of its 16 racecourses and five greyhound tracks to NHS staff once racing is able to resume with spectators.

Mark Spincer, managing director for Arc's racing division, said: “The period of uncertainty that the country is facing at the moment is unprecedented. One area of certainty, however, is that we are all hugely grateful for the amazing work that is being done across the NHS in keeping us all safe at this incredibly difficult time.

“Once it is deemed safe for us to start racing again and welcome the public back onto our sites, we want to offer those who are currently working incredibly hard on our behalf, free tickets to come and enjoy an afternoon or evening racing as our way of saying thank you."

The Arc portfolio covers jumps, Flat turf and all-weather racing, from Newcastle in the north and Brighton in the south to Chepstow and Ffos Las in Wales. The five greyhound tracks in the group include Nottingham, which was due to host the 2020 Greyhound Derby until it was postponed in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Full details on redeeming free tickets will be published on Arc racecourse websites in due course.

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Bookmakers have pledged to donate any profits from betting on the Virtual Grand National to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. You can donate to this important cause here