Bath Half announces 2012 grant recipients

Organisers of the Bath Half distribute £15,000 in grant funds annually through the Quartet Community Foundation, the largest of which this year went to Bath’s Beechen Cliff School.

The local school has been awarded a £5,000 grant to improve the quality of its sports pitches and increase the provision of physical education to its pupils - the largest single amount that has ever been granted from the fund.

Patrick Macdonald, PE teacher at Beechen Cliff School, said: “At present, areas of the school pitches are in poor condition and this grant will help us in providing an improved sports surface for our pupils and the local community to play on. We’re extremely grateful and delighted to have received such significant support.

“The school runs teams from years 7 – 13, in a variety of sports throughout the year and has over 30 staff who volunteer their time to provide pupils the opportunity to be active and healthy. This generous grant from entrants to the Bath Half Marathon means that we will be able to continue to expand the sports options for our 1,200 pupils and the wider community.”

The Bath Half Marathon Fund was established in 2003 by event organisers, Running High to channel donations received from entrants to each year's Bath Half Marathon via the Quartet Community Foundation through grants of up to £5,000 for sports, active lifestyle and play-based projects targeting disadvantage or rural isolation in the Bath and North East Somerset area.  These grants form a small but very worthwhile part of the total £1.5m of the money raised through the event each year.

Mel Taylor, Charity Director at Running High, said: “As Bath residents, we have a real affinity with the city and raising funds for local causes is one of the key driving forces behind what we do. We are excited to be able to offer local charities, schools and organisations grants that will make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives”.

In the last 7 years, thanks to the generosity of half marathon entrants, over £88,000 has been distributed by the Bath Half Marathon Fund to over 80 different local charities and voluntary groups within Bath & North East Somerset. The event organisers have also invested significant sums in an endowment fund through Quartet to create a permanent legacy for the city.

Other local organisations that have benefitted from this year’s fund include Stanton Drew Sports Field, the Haven, Bishop Sutton Primary School, Family Deaf Centre, SWALLOW, Community Bus, Mentoring Plus, Mencap Keynsham and District and Threeways School.

The 2012 Bath Half takes place on Sunday 11 March. Entries are still available for the Family Fun Run as well as through the official charities. Entry to the race is through the race website at www.bathhalf.co.uk where details for the race charities can also be found, or by calling 01225 422 255.