Two of the UK’s main athletics charities are becoming a member of forces to spice up assist for younger athletes and coaches
The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, established in 1991, and the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, based in 2021, have each performed key roles in serving to younger British athletes and coaches overcome challenges to progress of their sport.
The charities are actually coming collectively to strengthen their efforts. Their partnership will mix fundraising efforts on the TCS London Marathon and streamline grant functions to make sure funds attain these in want.
The Lloyd Cowan Bursary was arrange in reminiscence of Lloyd Cowan MBE, a legendary coach who believed that nobody with sporting potential must be held again by a scarcity of assist and alternatives.
The Bursary awards annual grants of as much as £500 yearly, each to certified coaches and to unfunded athletes, aged 16-23, for whom value is a barrier to accessing developmental alternatives in athletics.
Cowan, who handed away in 2021 after contracting Covid-19, was a world sprinter earlier than changing into one in every of Britain’s most profitable coaches.
He guided a number of the UK’s most gifted athletes, together with Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, European 110m hurdles champion Andy Turner and British 400m record-holder and double Olympic medallist Amber Anning.
Lloyd Cowan (Ernest Simons)
Ohuruogu, a founding trustee of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary stated: “In 2022, we collaborated with RPMF on an artwork exhibition showcasing athletes’ skills, together with from Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.
“We’re excited to affix forces once more for fundraising on the TCS London Marathon. This partnership permits us to assist extra athletes and coaches whereas preserving the independence and identification of each charities.”
The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund was arrange in reminiscence of Ron Pickering OBE, a former nationwide athletics coach and PE trainer, who guided Lynn Davies to Olympic lengthy soar gold on the Tokyo 1964 Video games. He’s additionally remembered because the voice of athletics on BBC commentaries and iconic programmes resembling Superstars.
The fund has helped British athletes fulfil their potential and since then, supported by the trustees and a community of volunteers, has raised and awarded over £2 million in small however vital grants to the subsequent technology.
Olympian Jo Jennings-Summers, a trustee of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, stated: “Over time, I’ve come to know the Pickering household effectively and tremendously benefited from Lloyd’s friendship and expertise throughout our time collectively at GB Below 20 Championships. So this partnership gives each robust emotional and key strategic advantages.
“We’re actually grateful for the continued assist of the TCS London Marathon, significantly for the fundraising locations allotted to us every year. These fundraisers are essential to sustaining the event of younger athletes and coaches throughout the UK.”
A serious function of the partnership is the shared allocation of fundraising spots on the TCS London Marathon, enabling each charities to lift important funds.
Every charity is searching for 10 runners to fundraise a minimal of £2000 every.
Abdul Buhari, who represented Nice Britain within the discus at London 2012 and is a trustee of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, added: “By aligning our grant processes, we are able to maximise the affect of the funds raised by our London Marathon runners, supporting as many athletes and coaches as attainable.”
If you’re considering taking part, contact the charities for extra data.
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