* African Betting Clan / Interbet
* Brian Roux / BBR Bloodstock Shipping
* Gary Alexander Racing Stables / Desch Eastgate & Sandton
* Group 1 Engineering International Contractors
* Hot Pot Paints
* J Maroun / M Khan - Bulldog Abrasives
* Mike de Kock Racing Stables
* Mining Pressure Systems
* The Citizen
* The Racing Association Other companies and individuals supporting the Christmas Tree are Boswell Wilkie Circus, Carry-On Projects, Graham Hodges, Isizwe Hospitality, OWA Ceilings and Tellytrack.
Popular Tellytrack presenter Julie Alexander was responsible for selling the race sponsorships and hospitality tables, while racehorse owner Graham Hodges of the St Laurence’s Children’s Home and the Phumelela Marketing and Hospitality teams are dealing with the finer details of the function.
This year’s Christmas Tree raceday embraces some 280 kids from five homes in the south of Johannesburg – St Laurence’s Children’s Haven, Abraham Kriel Children’s Home, ABC Kids, Mayfair Shelter and the Mini-Care Centre for Abused Children.
The day will be filled with entertainment and goodies for the children, and will enable them to forget their circumstances for at least a while. They will be treated to a traditional Christmas lunch in the Aquanaut Room and later presented with Christmas presents. Children are asked well before the event to compile a present wish list and where possible their wishes are accommodated.
The net proceeds from the Christmas Tree are distributed among the participating homes afterwards. Each home is asked to compile a wish list of items that will enhance the lives of the children going forward and these are purchased on their behalf.
"Phumelela is involved in several CSI projects, but the Christmas Tree is our favourite. For horseracing to bring a ray of light into the lives of little people who are much less fortunate than us is very special," said Robert Garner, Phumelela’s General Manager Marketing and Communications.
"On behalf of Phumelela, many thanks to those who are sponsoring races or contributing in other ways. It’s only because of the generosity of our many partners that the Christmas Tree is able to touch the lives of as many children as it does."
This year’s Christmas Tree was expanded to incorporate a Christmas lunch at Turffontein on Friday 5 December for some 300 pupils from the nearby Kenilworth Junior Secondary School.