WATCH: BGC BRITANNIA STAKES CHARITY CASH HELPS PRISONERS BACK INTO WORK

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members are backing the charity Tempus Novo to the tune of £30,000 to help get prisoners back into work.

The cash is part of the staggering £450,000 donation made by members of all profits from this year’s Britannia Stakes charity race at Royal Ascot.

The money was spilt between Tempus Novo and six other charities, including Prostate Cancer UK and Missing People.

Steve Freer, Tempus Novo CEO, said: “The funding we’ve received is making a tangible, lasting impact. Every penny is helping to drive transformational change in the criminal justice system by supporting people with convictions into sustainable employment. This is critical work—without these opportunities, many are left with little choice but to return to crime upon release.

“Thanks to this support, we’re seeing lives changed, futures rebuilt, and a real shift in how rehabilitation can work in practice.”

Many people with convictions encounter a brick wall when they try to readjust to life on the outside — no job, no opportunities, and a stigma that is difficult to shake.

Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme Labour MP Lee Pitcher visited HMP Hatfield to see the work of Tempus Novo in action.

“It is massively important that organisations like Tempus Novo have that support from organisations like the BGC. It helps give people hope and it starts to change lives and everybody deserves that second chance,” he said.

The initiative was made possible thanks to BGC members, Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Evoke (888 William Hill), Kindred (Unibet), Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Star Sports and QuinnBet, along with the support of Tote and Bet with Ascot.

Watch the video below to see local MP Lee Pitcher visiting and hear how a prisoner working with Tempus Novo is being supported.