CHESTER Racecourse has been thanked by a charity after donating thousands of meals to those in need.

The SHARE charity, which is in the process of moving its Chester base into the former Dawsons music store on Pepper Street, has thanked the catering arm of the Chester Racecourse company for donating the food which would have otherwise gone to waste.

Thousands of people were expected to attend the Chester races meetings on September 9-10, but the British Horseracing Authority suspended all race meetings for those two days following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.

Chester Racecourse was left in the position of having prepared food and drink to feed thousands of people but with no crowds to feed.

However, the Horseradish catering team then, in partnership with the Outreach team at SHARE, helped donate the surplus food to the needy, including the homeless.

The team effort was also made possible thanks to Chester-based charities Soul Kitchen, Chester Aid to the Homeless (CATH), ForFutures, Save the Family and local foodbanks in Blacon and Upton.

Founder and trustee of SHARE Adam Dandy said: “We would like to thank all those involved in this mammoth effort, especially our friends at Chester Racecourse, and our partner charities.

"This is what happens when communities like ours here in the beautiful city of Chester work together, it is especially poignant in these very sad days following the loss of our Queen.”

A spokesman for Chester Race Course commented: “Despite the sadness of the loss of Her Majesty, it feels right that those who need it most in our community will receive a parting gift this weekend.”

The food which will now be distributed to people who are homeless or in need following the cancelled events, includes 1,100 bento boxes (sandwich, drink, cake, crisps), buffet items and salads for over 800 people including cooked salmon, sausage rolls, cured meats, as well as vegetarian and vegan options, 400 suet puddings, 90 afternoon tea packs, sandwiches and 60kg roast vegetables.

Chester Racecourse also donated flowers, intended for display on the weekend race meetings, to local hospices and care homes, as well as to the city for the proclamation event. The flowers were turned into beautiful wreaths.

The racecourse is due to hold its final race meeting of the year on September 24, coincidentally the same date as the opening of the relocated ShareShop on Pepper Street.

The ShareShop had been due to open on September 17, but this was delayed by one week to respect the days of official mourning.

For more information on SHARE, visit https://shareaid.co.uk/ and for more information about Chester Racecourse, visit https://www.chester-races.com/