Sandown Park Racecourse has reaffirmed its long-term support for the Community Fund for Elmbridge, established as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations and set to continue well beyond the milestone year.
Launched in partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey, the fund was created to ensure Sandown Park’s anniversary leaves a positive legacy for the local community. It will remain the central focus of the racecourse’s fundraising efforts for the year ahead and beyond, supporting charities, voluntary groups and community projects across the borough.
While often perceived as an affluent area, Elmbridge ranks among the most unequal boroughs in the country in terms of household income, with many residents relying on the support of local charities. The Community Fund for Elmbridge aims to help address this imbalance by providing grant funding to projects that support children, older people and vulnerable members of the community.
Already in 2026, Sandown Park has been committed to supporting local people to reduce inequality and build a stronger community. An impressive £16,240 has been raised and split between four local charities:
- Citizens Advice Elmbridge West, to fund a Complex Needs Caseworker for vulnerable residents
- Home-Start Elmbridge, to help families in crisis through intensive local support
- The Horse Rangers Association, to empower young people with disabilities in Elmbridge through horse riding
- Renstart, to strengthen support for people experiencing homelessness
Sarah Drabwell, General Manager at Sandown Park Racecourse, said: “For 150 years, Sandown Park has been part of the fabric of the Elmbridge community. As we celebrated this important anniversary, it was vital for us to look beyond the year itself and create something with real, long-term impact.
“The Community Fund for Elmbridge reflects our commitment to supporting local people and causes, and we are proud that this fund will continue into 2026 and beyond as a cornerstone of our community engagement.
“We are delighted that not only was this fund backed by the Mayor of Elmbridge Steve Bax, but we have also just made our first four grants totalling over £16,000.”
