On our 17th February 2024 raceday, we were delighted to welcome beneficiaries of The Barrie Wells Trust, a charity founded and funded by Barrie Wells MBE who runs the Box4Kids initiative.
The charity is unique in that it does not ask for any monetary donations, just simply the kind donation of executive boxes. Box4Kids invites seriously ill and disabled children to enjoy a sporting or entertainment event in the luxury of an executive box. Comfortable and safe, a box is an ideal environment for a child who normally is not able to attend sporting or entertainment events due to their illness or disability. Most importantly, it’s the perfect way to make a child feel special for the day, giving them a VIP experience to remember. The Trust collaborates with over 250 sports clubs, entertainment venues and boxholders who kindly donate their boxes. To date, over 17,000 children and their families have enjoyed a Box4Kids experience. The Trust have a network of over 201 hospitals, hospices, and charities across the UK including Great Ormond Street, Royal Manchester Children’s, Great North Children’s and Alder Hey who nominate children to attend.
Getting involved is easy. Whether you’re a business, a club, event venue or an individual, Box4kids invites you to donate your box and aims to make it as simple as possible. Just choose an event you’d like to donate your box for and its team does the rest, from organising logistics, inviting children from local hospitals for the day and hosting them with their families.
If you are interested in donating your executive box, or would like to find out more about the Trust and Box4Kids, you can contact the team directly at
[email protected] or via the office on 01524 590600.
In recognition of the initiative, we donated race naming rights to our 4.10pm race - “The Ascot Racecourse Supports Box4Kids Handicap Hurdle Race” with the children given the honour of presenting prizes and judging the best turned out horse.
