Two of the UK’s leading athletics charities are joining forces to boost support for young athletes and coaches
The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, established in 1991, and the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, founded in 2021, have both played key roles in helping young British athletes and coaches overcome challenges to progress in their sport.
The charities are now coming together to strengthen their efforts. Their partnership will combine fundraising efforts at the TCS London Marathon and streamline grant applications to ensure funds reach those in need.
The Lloyd Cowan Bursary was set up in memory of Lloyd Cowan MBE, a legendary coach who believed that no one with sporting potential should be held back by a lack of support and opportunities.
The Bursary awards annual grants of up to £500 once a year, both to qualified coaches and to unfunded athletes, aged 16-23, for whom cost is a barrier to accessing developmental opportunities in athletics.
Cowan, who passed away in 2021 after contracting Covid-19, was an international sprinter before becoming one of Britain’s most successful coaches.
He guided some of the UK’s most talented athletes, including 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 said: “In 2022, we collaborated with RPMF on an art exhibition showcasing athletes’ talents, including from Olympic 800m champion Keely Hodgkinson.
“We are excited to join forces again for fundraising at the TCS London Marathon. This partnership allows us to support more athletes and coaches while preserving the independence and identity of both charities.”
The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund was set up in memory of Ron Pickering OBE, a former national athletics coach and PE teacher, who guided Lynn Davies to Olympic long jump gold at the Tokyo 1964 Games. He is also remembered as the voice of athletics on BBC commentaries and iconic programmes such as Superstars.
The fund has helped British athletes fulfil their potential and since then, supported by the trustees and a network of volunteers, has raised and awarded over £2 million in small but significant grants to the next generation.
Olympian Jo Jennings-Summers, a trustee of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, said: “Over the years, I’ve come to know the Pickering family well and greatly benefited from Lloyd’s friendship and experience during our time together at GB Under 20 Championships. So this partnership offers both strong emotional and key strategic benefits.”
A major feature of the partnership is the shared allocation of fundraising spots at the TCS London Marathon, enabling both charities to raise essential funds.
Each charity is seeking 10 runners to fundraise a minimum of £2000 each.
Abdul Buhari, who represented Great Britain in the discus at London 2012 and is a trustee of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, added: “By aligning our grant processes, we can maximise the impact of the funds raised by our London Marathon runners, supporting as many athletes and coaches as possible.
“We are truly grateful for the continued support of the TCS London Marathon, particularly for the fundraising places allocated to us each year. These fundraisers are crucial to sustaining the development of young athletes and coaches across the UK.”
If you are interested in participating, contact the charities for more information.
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