Supportive employers enjoy day at the races

Knockhill Racing Circuit held its annual Armed Forces, NHS & Blue Light Appreciation Weekend on April 20 and 21.

Highland RFCA was in attendance, bringing a wide selection of guests to enjoy all the action on the Sunday in Fife. Multiple sectors were represented with guests from companies including Bespoke Resourcing Solutions Ltd, DLR Media Limited, The Dundee Gin Company Ltd, Falkirk Football Community Foundation, Forth Valley College, Gogar Services Limited, Golden Friendships, The Knights Templar Goodwill Charity of Scotland, Hold Fast Elite Limited, and Kirkcaldy Cabs Limited.

All of those organisations have shown their support for the Armed Forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise by the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.

In addition they all hold Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Awards, with four at Silver Award level and the others at Bronze Award level.

Find out more about the Armed Forces Covenant.

Find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

HRFCA Regional Employer Engagement Directors Roy McLellan and Ray Watt welcomed the guests before they received a briefing from Knockhill Event Director Stuart Gray. Guests then took a trip to the starting grid to get a closer look at some of the race cars.

Guests on the grid. — HRFCA guests on the starting grid.

They then had the opportunity to step into vehicles with professional racing drivers for some high-speed laps of the circuit. Once the guests had recovered, they enjoyed a buffet lunch in the circuit function suite. They were then free to enjoy the remainder of the racing. They also looked on as Roy presented trophies to winners across various motorsport categories (main image top of page, with Roy on the right).

Knockhill is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and, since 2019, a holder of the Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of car racing at Knockhill.

A race car on the grid at Knockhill. — A chance to take a closer look at some of the race cars.

Knockhill has been extremely pro-active in its Armed Forces support and has previously held multiple Armed Forces Appreciation Days to recognise and pay tribute to all serving and Veteran Armed Forces personnel and their families.

The Appreciation Weekend first expanded to a full weekend in 2023, meaning any serving members of the Armed Forces or Veterans were able to attend on one or both days for free. Anyone accompanying got in for a concessionary rate. That offer was also extended to anyone working for the NHS and holders of Blue Light cards.