On Tuesday (4th December) Social 7 at MediaCityUK hosted the launch of The Running Bee Foundation, Manchester’s newest charitable foundation that will work with local communities to fund healthy and active lifestyle initiatives and to help fight childhood obesity.
The Running Bee Foundation has been set up in memory of a true Salfordian, Mo Done who supported many Manchester charities and played an integral part in the development of tour operator Sports Tours International, the founder and supporter of the foundation.
For over 10 years, Sports Tours International has delivered running events in communities across the North West and more than 12,000 people have taken part every year across nine different events, including the UKFast We Love MCR 10K, the iconic Tour of Tameside and The Media City Jingle Bell Jog.
The Running Bee Foundation will provide grants from the profits raised from these events to community initiatives across Manchester and the North West to promote health and wellbeing and the fight to tackle and reduce childhood obesity.
The evening saw the foundation’s first official sponsor UKFast come together with many of the UK events’ sponsors, partners, influencers and staff to celebrate the launch of The Running Bee Foundation.
Chris Bird, CEO of Sports Tours International commented, ‘’I’m immensely proud to have launched The Running Bee Foundation in honour of Mo Done. Our UK events have played a huge part in promoting an active lifestyle in the local communities so it’s important for us to now give something back. Next year, all the profits from these events will go into the Foundation to be invested back into the communities and I’m looking forward to seeing how the monies will make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our region.’’
CEO of UKFast Lawrence Jones MBE and Founder of Sports Tours International Fred Done attended the event and spoke about their support of the Foundation and how it will benefit the people of Manchester and beyond.
Lawrence Jones MBE added, ‘’We’re proud to support the Running Bee Foundation. We’ve supported Sports Tours International and the Salford 10k and We Love Manchester 10k runs for several years now and have seen first-hand the impact that running can have on people’s overall wellbeing.
“It’s so important to encourage children to lead active lifestyles and get a break from screen time.”
The Running Bee Foundation’s mascot ‘Mo’, made a special guest appearance on the night and greeted guests before the evening came to an end.
Grants from the foundation will be available to charities, community groups and individuals in Manchester and the North West who run or are looking to run projects to make a difference in their local community, focusing on health, wellbeing and getting active. The max grant fund is £2k. Applications forms are available by emailing runningbee@sportstoursinternational.co.uk
To find out more visit www.runningbeefoundation.co.uk.
