Chester Racecourse donates £10,000 to fund Storyhouse Skills Studio

Chester Racecourse is delighted to announce that a record-breaking £35,000 was raised at last year’s Lord Mayor’s Fireworks Extravaganza, and that £10,000 of the money raised will be donated to Storyhouse to support an exciting new arts programme benefitting the local community.

The Lord Mayor’s Fireworks Extravaganza continues to be one of Chester’s favourite family-friendly nights out, bringing spectacular fireworks, fun fairground rides and community spirit to the Roodee, whilst raising funds for local causes. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and the hard work of the Chester Racecourse and partners, this year’s event has surpassed previous totals, generating increased support for community projects.

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive of Chester Race Company, said: 

“We are extremely proud that last year’s Fireworks Extravaganza has raised such a significant amount for local organisations”

“We are delighted to be able to work with such an innovative local cultural institution to build confidence and leadership skills in young people. We admire the work Storyhouse does to make the arts accessible to everyone in our community and it gives us confidence that the programme will support young people who may not yet have had the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The £10,000 donation will directly support Storyhouse’s Young Leaders project, which creates accessible opportunities for young people from a wide range of backgrounds to build leadership skills, develop confidence and engage meaningfully with the arts. Through creative collaboration, mentoring and real-world cultural experiences, Young Leaders empowers participants to shape their own futures while contributing positively to the city’s cultural life.

Victoria Harrison, Development Director of Storyhouse said: 

"Helping local young people to develop new skills and grow creatively is at the core of what we do here at Storyhouse. Taking part in the Fireworks Extravaganza was really enjoyable for the young people and staff who volunteered on the night, and this wonderful donation will further career-readiness programmes and wider projects that help more than 3000 local young people annually. As a charity, Storyhouse is powered by the generosity of local partners. The support of Chester Racecourse unlocks our ability to do more for young people, and we are incredibly grateful for this contribution."

Storyhouse’s diverse calendar of activities includes family creative events, film screenings, community workshops and theatre productions, offering something for everyone and nurturing a love of the arts across generations.

Chester Racecourse has a long-standing commitment of supporting local charities and community initiatives across Cheshire and North Wales. The Lord Mayor’s Fireworks Extravaganza plays an important role in that work by enabling meaningful contributions to organisations making a difference locally. Following last year’s record-breaking success, plans are already underway for the 2026 event, which will take place on Saturday 31 October for a special Halloween themed event and will once again bring the community together for an evening of entertainment, celebration and fundraising in the heart of the city.

Pictured - Louise Stewart, Chester Racecourse & Victoria Harrison, Storyhouse.