Generous runners have given thousands to various projects aimed at encouraging play and exercise to vulnerable or disadvantaged Bath residents.
The Genesis Trust benefitted from funding for their Life Skills project
The Quartet Community Foundation awarded £8,500 to 12 local charities and community groups via the Bath Half Marathon Grant Programme.
The money will help more people in Bath and North East Somerset to play, stay fit and improve their health.
Each year donations from Bath Half entrants are channelled through Quartet and used to fund sports, exercise and play projects organised by community groups within B&NES.
The aim of the grant programme is to improve physical health and wellbeing close to people’s homes, reaching out especially to residents who are isolated or facing disadvantage.
Bath charity Genesis Trust received £500 for its Life Skills programme to deliver yoga and exercises classes for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults.
The charity’s Gateway Centre Manager Paul Solly said: “Many of our Life Skills clients struggle to access classes for a range of reasons but have shown an appetite to do some exercise.
“With this funding we can deliver fully accessible and inclusive sessions in a safe and familiar space.
“We can also encourage clients to think about their general wellbeing and help to reduce social isolation.
“We are delighted to have received this grant and want to thank Bath Half Marathon and Quartet.”
Bath Half Race Director Andrew Taylor from Running High Events praised entrants for their contributions.
He said: “We are truly grateful to the runners that opt to donate to the community fund when they enter the race.
“The fund was started in 2003, specifically to support local charitable groups, too small to benefit through our official race charity scheme.
“Working with Quartet Community Foundation puts us directly in touch with these groups, where relatively small grants can make a big difference.
“If you are thinking about running the Bath Half please consider making a small donation when you enter, your help goes a very long way in the local community.”
Quartet’s Philanthropy Executive Claire Wynne Hughes added: “Bath Half participants who choose to donate to the community fund are not only boosting their own health through running, they can also be really proud of how they’re helping local people in need.”
A £1,000 grant was made to SWALLOW, a Radstock charity supporting teenagers and adults with learning disabilities.
It will provide monthly sessions for around 15 of their members including exercise followed by preparing and eating a healthy meal together.
Nicky Tew from the charity said: “This grant from Quartet on behalf of the Bath Half Fund will make a huge difference and help us to encourage our members to eat more healthily and keep fit whilst having fun with their friends.”
The projects receiving Bath Half grants include:
- Bath Gateway Out & About – £500 towards staff costs, which will allow the group to introduce more physical activities into the club nights.
- Carers Centre B&NES (Care Network) – £500 to take 25 5-11-year-old young carers tobogganing and have a family day to provide a variety of activities for young carers of all ages and their families.
- First Steps (Bath) – £1,000 Rugbytots to enable young children in Twerton to enjoy physical activity and play through fun, structured outdoor play sessions, using creative play and rugby skills.
- Friends of Wheels for All (B&NES) – £500 Wheels Indoors – Weather proof cycling.
- Genesis Trust – £500 Provision of yoga and exercises classes for vulnerable and disadvantaged adults through Genesis Trust Life Skills. These will focus on reducing social isolation, increasing confidence and self-esteem and improving wellbeing.
- Make a Move – £1,000 For a dance and movement project working with children and young people with a range of learning difficulties.
- Mentoring Plus – £500 For the continuation of the youth club until the end of next year.
- Percy Community Centre – £1,000 For the replacement of goalposts for the group’s outside court.
- Southside Family Project – £500 Southside’s One Million Steps Challenge will inspire and support families experiencing disadvantage and poverty in Keynsham to develop more active lifestyles through walking, measuring their progress daily using the pedometers.
- Sporting Family Change – £500 To purchase exercise equipment including skipping ropes, boxing gloves and dumbbells.
- SWALLOW – £1,000 Towards monthly sessions for around 15 members that include exercise followed by preparing and eating a healthy meal together.
- Three Ways School – £1,000 Towards staff costs and bike hire, allowing 15 pupils to access Wheels For All specially adapted bikes at Odd Down Cycle Track.
