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The Australian Turf Club Foundation will this week deliver goods and supplies to thoroughbred racing Clubs and communities in Northern NSW still battling and rebuilding from floods and a second deluge in recent days.

Along with $50,000 in assistance to be distributed to NSW Race Clubs in partnership with Country Racing NSW and Racing NSW, the ATC Foundation and the Australian Turf Club will also deliver practical help.

Among two semi-trailers of items which have arrived at Murwillumbah for the racing industry and communities to be distributed from Wednesday are:

• 100 40-inch TVs and 40 crown amps and DSP digital signal processors;
• 250 chairs;
• 400 hay bales and feed pellets;
• Saddle cloths;
• Rain jackets;
• Training gear from retired NSW thoroughbred trainer Pam Webber

Australian Turf Club General Manager of Racecourses, Nevesh Ramdhani and Racing NSW Tracks Manager, Dave Hodgson have worked with six country race clubs offering advice and expertise to help racing and training surfaces recover. The Australian Turf Club is assessing what machinery it may be able to send north in coming months.

The hay bales and equipment will be divided between trainers and Race Clubs at Murwillumbah, Lismore and Ballina in accordance with need and cooperation of Country Racing NSW.

ATC Foundation Chair, Trish Egan said the Australian Turf Club as the State’s principal racing Club was proud to lead efforts in helping northern NSW communities recover.

“To have these funds raised and the truckloads of goods on the road this week is a testament to the ATC Foundation’s ability to help fellow racing communities quickly and in a practical way," Ms Egan said.

“While the $50,000 in help was from existing ATC Foundation funds, we are also very grateful to ATC Members and customers who have purchased official pins on track in recent weeks and Group 1 saddle cloth auctions, funds which will also go to those in need.

“The Australian Turf Club Foundation is delighted to send this assistance and we will continue to look at further ways we can help in future rounds of funding distribution.’’

Australian Turf Club Chairman, Matthew McGrath said the club was keen to support the initiative: “Using the Club’s resources, the Australian Turf Club along with its Members are delighted to support such a worthy cause for people across NSW affected by these 1-in-100-year floods,” Mr McGrath said.

Country Racing NSW Chairman, Bob Pavitt said the quick response of the ATC Foundation would greatly assist trainers and racing communities look after horses and rebuild at this critical time.

“We are extremely grateful to the Australian Turf Club and the ATC Foundation for providing such practical help at a time when the floods and damage remain a day-to-day battle," Mr Pavitt said.

“To have these trucks and help arrive on the ground within weeks of the peaks of the floods and again as more have hit will lift the spirits of the Race Clubs and communities enormously."

Minister for Racing, Kevin Anderson praised the Australian Turf Club and ATC Foundation for generously supporting the thoroughbred Race Clubs in Northern NSW as they rebuild during a challenging time.

“I commend the ATC and ATC Foundation for their incredible generosity to the thoroughbred racing clubs that are doing it tough in Northern NSW right at the moment," Mr Anderson said.

“Racing brings enormous joy to thousands of people, so it’s incredibly important we get the racing infrastructure impacted by these devastating floods back in working order as quickly as possible.

“The partnership and collaboration of these organisations shows how the racing industry rallies behind our communities in times of need, which makes me extremely proud."

For further information on the ATC Foundation including how to apply for a funding grant visit - australianturfclub.com.au/foundation