Jockey Donates £50K Prize to Help Homeless Find Jobs

Billy Loughnane could have spent his championship winnings on anything, but the rising star jockey had other plans for his £50,000 prize.

The 20-year-old donated the entire sum from winning the 2024 UK and Ireland World Pool Jockeys' Championship to The Christy Lambe Foundation. The foundation then gave the money to Standing Tall, a charity that helps homeless people find jobs and places to live.

Loughnane's generosity allowed Standing Tall to expand its work to Derby, where it connected 25-year-old Jamie Dial with a construction job and a host family. Before the charity found him, Dial slept in doorways and on park benches.

"It's a very nice thing for someone to actually believe in me for once," Dial said. He now works as a groundworker at a building site in Derby and is saving money to move into his own flat by the end of the year.

Loughnane chose to support The Christy Lambe Foundation to honor the memory of Christy Lambe, whose family's construction company had sponsored him. Most jockeys donate their prizes to racing charities, but Loughnane wanted to support a cause focused on mental health and homelessness.

"When I met Jamie I realised how good it's been for him, getting him back up and going, so hopefully I'll be able to do it again in the future," Loughnane said.

The Ripple Effect

Standing Tall has an 80% success rate keeping people in their jobs one year later, higher than typical recruitment rates. The charity matches work-ready people who have experienced homelessness with employers and locals who have spare rooms in their homes.

Since its founding in 2020, the organization has helped dozens of people transition from homelessness to stable employment. With Loughnane's donation opening doors in Derby, founder Christy Acton hopes to help many more people like Dial.

"To see Jamie in full-time work on site, it's sort of the end of the story, but in a way it's the beginning of the story," Acton said.

For Dial, having a roof over his head still feels overwhelming in the best way possible. "I never thought I could do that," he said, adding that he hopes the charity can help others facing similar struggles.

One generous act from a young champion is creating waves of opportunity across Derby.