Sport
21 November, 2025
Leila Rose Foundation charity partner for 2026 carnival
THE Warrnambool Racing Club (WRC) has announced the Leila Rose Foundation as its premier charity partner for the 2026 May Racing Carnival.
The announcement was recently made at a morning tea in the Matilda Room, concluding the 2025 program of the JUMP Charity Partner Initiative.
JUMP invites charities, clubs and community organisations to apply to become the May Racing Carnival Charity Partner, the Community Race Day Partner or to receive financial grants.
This year the club received 23 eligible submissions, an encouraging number well in advance of the previous year.
The major recipient for the day was the Leila Rose Foundation, which was founded in 2011 after the death of the co-founders’ daughter Leila Rose from a rare childhood cancer.
Based in Warrnambool, the foundation focusses on helping families who have a child suffering from a rare childhood cancer.
Leila Rose Foundation co-founder, Andrew Chow, said the foundation was delighted to be chosen as the Jump Charity partner for next year’s May Racing Carnival.
“We extend our sincere thanks to the Warrnambool Racing Club for its continued support and congratulate the club on the success of the Jump Charity initiative,” Mr Chow said.
“We also thank Beyond Bank for its generous involvement in next year’s event.”
This key partnership is also supported by Beyond Bank, who will double all donations raised during the carnival up to $20,000, considerably increasing the potential of the partnership for the Leila Rose Foundation in 2026.
The WRC also announced its Community Race Day Partner, being Standing Tall in Warrnambool Inc. (Standing Tall).
This will see gate takings and sponsorship profits from the Community Race Day meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026, donated to Standing Tall.
“We are extremely grateful to the Warrnambool Racing Club for this opportunity,” Standing Tall secretary Lynne Moloney said.
“Our organisation provides mentoring support to over 75 students at four Warrnambool schools. These funds will help us to continue training community volunteer mentors, allow us to provide additional assistance to our students and enable us to expand our program in 2026.”
In addition, the WRC was pleased to also offer a financial donation to several organisations.
This includes the Neil Porter Legacy, Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail Committee of Management Inc, Riding for Disabled Warrnambool, South Rovers Football Netball Club, South West Academy of Sport and the South West Community Foundation.
Others to receive a donation included St Vincent de Paul, West Warrnambool Conference, The Crystal Lee Foundation, Warrnambool BMX Club, Warrnambool Calisthenics Club Inc and the Warrnambool Citizens Road Race Committee.
The Warrnambool City Pickleball Incorporated, Warrnambool District Country Music Group Inc, Warrnambool Football Netball Club, Warrnambool Gift, Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club, Warrnambool Lions Club, Warrnambool Neighbourhood & Community Centre, Warrnambool Pony Club, Warrnambool RSL and the Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club also benefitted from donations.
WRC committee member and JUMP committee chair, Maree Lane, said the strength of this year’s submissions was an indication of how many dedicated volunteers and hardworking organisations were shaping the local community.
“JUMP gives us a chance to recognise that effort, shine a light on the people who quietly keep things moving, and support initiatives that make a real difference,” Ms Lane said.
“It is a privilege to celebrate the breadth of work happening across our region and to help these groups expand their impact.”
WRC’s manager (operations and marketing) Luke Aggett said he was pleased to see JUMP continue to grow.
“It was pleasing to have 23 eligible submissions, slightly up on last year,” he said.
“What’s most impressive is the wide variety of meaningful organisations that submitted this year, working on bettering the community, from sport to health, to infrastructure. It’s a diverse range all equally deserving of funding.”
