Godolphin joins community effort during Covid-19 crisis

Drivers from Godolphin are doing their bit for the local community by delivering hot meals to vulnerable people in the Newmarket area.

The drivers have teamed up with the Newmarket Day Centre to spread a little cheer – and much needed lunches – to those isolated in the town.

The drivers have been helping since the end of March, using a rotation system. Their help has been vital since like so many organisations, the Newmarket Day Centre has had to close its doors due to the coronavirus lockdown. They have joined the other drivers for the Centre which every weekday is providing lunches to more than a hundred people in Newmarket.

Each driver visits six addresses a day with “a round” taking about 90 minutes, plenty of time for a quick chat – all socially distanced, of course.

One driver, Nigel Goodenough, said: “Obviously there has been some slowdown at work so it seemed a good idea to do our bit for Newmarket. The fact that we are obviously seeing people again and again means that new friendships have been formed. It’s nice to think that we might bring a smile to the face of someone cut off and alone."

On Friday, 5 June, chefs at Godolphin’s Moulton Paddocks hostel also provided hot meals to around 250 people in Newmarket. This was in conjunction with several organisations that have been ensuring the community is fed during lockdown, including Newmarket Festival, The Jockey Club and Discover Newmarket.

Mostly the Newmarket Covid-19 fund has been covering the cost of the food for these deliveries, however on this occasion Godolphin provided the meals free of charge.

Godolphin staff globally have also come together to support local charities during the crisis, taking on the ‘Godolphin Winning Line’ challenge. The aim of the challenge, which started on Friday, 22 May and will finish on Friday, 26 June, is for staff to run, walk, ride or cycle the distance between the many Godolphin locations across the world – a total of 28,300 miles.

Staff members who have signed up to the challenge are making a donation to local Covid-19 charities, or other organisations in need during these challenging times.

Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin UK and Dubai, said: “All at Godolphin are acutely aware that we are part of a bigger community and at times like this we all need to help.

“I am extremely proud of the way our teams are helping in their local area, together with the hundreds of staff taking part in the Winning Line challenge to raise funds for charity.”