The Bath Half Marathon Fund has been opened for applications from local charities, community groups and sports clubs, with grants of up to £2,000 available.
Wheels for All Bath & West benefited from funding from the scheme in 2019 | Photo © Wheels for All Bath & West
The funding is made available to help local residents who are isolated or facing disadvantages to play, stay fit and improve their health.
Groups are being invited to apply now to the Quartet Community Foundation for the funding before the deadline of 21st May 2021.
Every year, donations from runners entering the Bath Half Marathon are added to the fund.
This money then goes to sports, exercise and play projects organised by groups in Bath & North East Somerset.
Over the last 18 years the Bath Half Marathon Fund has awarded over £206,000 to 194 local projects delivered by 109 different groups. This is in addition to a further sum of just under £270,000 invested in an endowment fund at Quartet Community Foundation.
Bath Half Race Director Andrew Taylor, from Running High Events, praised entrants for their contributions.
He said: “We started the fund with Quartet Community Foundation in 2003 as we wanted to support local charitable groups which aren’t able to benefit through our official race charity scheme, or through our volunteering programme.
“Quartet puts us directly in touch with these groups, where our grants can make a big difference. We’re grateful for runners’ generous donations to support this work with smaller local community groups. Physical fitness is key to a healthy recovery from the Covid crisis.”
Angela Emms, Philanthropy Manager for Bath & NES at Quartet Community Foundation said: “Local charities, community groups and sports clubs are now facing increased demands with fewer resources, yet they’ve never been more needed.
“These grants make a massive difference and help B&NES residents have fun and stay fit and healthy.”
The last round of Bath Half Marathon Funding in 2019 awarded grants to 12 projects including Wheels for All Bath & West. They received £500 to offer cycling sessions for teenagers with learning difficulties.
Chris Revill from Wheels for All Bath & West said: “With generous support from the Bath Half Funding through Quartet Community Foundation we were really fortunate to complete our winter 2019/20 series in the nick of time before the lockdown closed us until August 2020.
“In a year of uncertainty one thing has been clear; that keeping in touch with our users and supporters over that pre-Covid winter was vital in maintaining their interest until we successfully reopened our outdoor sessions at Odd Down cycle circuit in August 2020.
“Although we are not currently able to offer indoor sessions, as spring arrives we are excited to offer weekly and fortnightly sessions using our wide range of fun and cool trikes once again.”
If you think your community group or charity might be eligible to apply for a Bath Half Marathon grant, find out more at https://quartetcf.org.uk/grant-programmes/bath-half-marathon/ or email [email protected].
Due to uncertainty over the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing restrictions, this year’s Bath Half Marathon has been postponed until Sunday 13th March 2022.
