The sponsorship will be used for bursaries for young athletes to get to race meets.
Bristol Credit Union has announced a funding deal with Bristol and West Athletic Club to the tune of £2,000.
The sponsorship, originally intended to be used for bursaries for young athletes to get to race meets, will still be used to support young athletes’ activity once competition is re-started after the disruption caused by COVID-19. Each year, Bristol Credit Union looks to fund a number of local organisations who are aspirational and impactful in making a difference to Bristol and its residents.
Bristol and West Athletic Club is the South West’s leading athletic club, and has been in existence since 1882. The club, based in Whitehall but working across the wider Bristol area, provides opportunities for everyone across the city, from all walks of life, to get involved in running or to pursue their athletics passion. There is a particular focus on young athletes with members able to join from Year 4 and upwards, many coming from areas that do not have easy-to-access running facilities.
Following a conversation with one of their members, Marcia Brady, whose sons, daughter and grandson all attend the athletics club, Bristol Credit Union made the decision to provide funding. Bristol Credit Union is run for the benefit of the local community and, as such, champions causes that provide value to their members and their families. Bristol and West Athletic Club is an integral part of many young people’s lives, helping them to make healthy lifestyle choices and channel their energy into sport. Without the transport bursaries, there would have been some young members of Bristol and West Athletic Club that would have been unable to attend race meets.
Marcia Brady explained:
I’m really pleased that Bristol Credit Union wants to support our young people to achieve their athletic goals, in a way that provides a chance to socialise with other athletes from different cultures and backgrounds, and encourages our young people to live a healthier lifestyle.
We are all really looking forward to getting the chance to use these funds to support our activities, as soon as athletics can return to normal.
Bristol and West Athletic Club Treasurer, and former youth worker, Fliss Russell said:
“It goes without saying that any club treasurer is always delighted to get money in, but it is especially good to receive funding which both recognises and prioritises the value and development of young athletes. We have some fantastic young people who really deserve the support, and participating in competition can be costly enough to present a barrier to some. This will be a massive help with that”.
James Berry, CEO of Bristol Credit Union said:
Helping the community is at the core of what we do as a credit union. We are thrilled to be able to help the young people of Bristol and West Athletic Club pursue their sporting ambitions.
We understand the financial impact that Covid-19 has had on our members and want to do whatever we can to ease the financial burden of worthwhile local organisations that have been impacted by the pandemic.
Once we return to a new normal, we are looking forward to our bursaries helping the young athletes get to race meets.”
