Injured Jockey Fund aims to expand clientelle base
Application is submitted to West Berkshire Council planners
THE INJURED Jockey Fund is aiming to open its doors to the wider equine world.
The organisation has submitted an application to West Berkshire planners for permission to relax current regulations which stipulate that its Oaksey House centre in Lambourn's Oxford Street can only be used to treat jockeys, either active or retired.
Fund chiefs are currently having to turn away requests for help from other injured riders.
Chief executive Lisa Hancock said it was hoped that proposal, if accepted, would have three advantages - to ensure the current facilities are used to capacity; to allow the team to gain experience in treating a wider range of injuries and to generate extra income for the charity.
She added: “We want more people to be able to utilise our expertise. If we can assist others and generate an income stream, however modest, on the back of that, then it makes commercial sense as a charity.
“Also, the way things stand at the moment if Riding for the Disabled, for example, ring us and ask to have a meeing in our meeting room, we have to say to say no. Or if someone who has been injured, who would benefit from physiotherapy and is willing to pay, approaches us, we have to turn them away. It's underutilising the fantastic facilities and the great team that we have here.
She added: “The application would make no difference in many ways, it's not a major change. Our main raison d'etre will remain to look after injured jockeys, active and retired. Our prime directive is still to provide a service to the racing industry.”
Oaksey House was opened in September 2009 by Her Royal Highness,The Princess Royal, who remains a patron.
It contains a state-of-the-art gym with modern muscle toning equipment, a sauna, two physiotherapy rooms, function rooms, showers and special baths for those who have difficulty climbing in.
The respite accommodation has overnight facilities for a nurse in a room above, if 24 hour nursing is required.
The Fund's application is due to be considered by West Berkshire Council's planning committee in August.
