A community fund pot available to aspiring young people who want to continue or take their first steps into sport has recently helped Swansea girl; Madison Evans. The fund that has been named: “Leave More Than A Footprint” was originally born out of the Multi-Award Winning JCP Swansea Half Marathon.
The team behind the idea wanted to set up a fund to help give something back to the community of Swansea and the surrounding region. The race is in its sixth year, and since its inception, the team at Front Runner Events have gone onto successfully deliver the; Llanelli Half Marathon, Great Welsh Marathon & Half Marathon, and is now in collaboration with the Kidney Wales Cardiff 10K. Since founding the company, the team has longed to help others in sport, and the fund; “Leave More Than A Footprint” is now able to achieve this.
The first young person to be awarded the grant is a sports-mad local girl called Madison Evans, who plays cricket and netball in the region. She may be young at only 15 years old, but already she knows what she wants – and her long-term aim is to make it big! She is very ambitious and hungry to be successful. Madison’s biggest achievement to date has been to represent Wales in cricket, gaining a Welsh cap for the sport and a number of awards she’s received for netball. She loves playing alongside the 2nds squad at Swansea and her aim this year is to break into a 1st cricket team game through her all-rounder ability.
Carly Short, mum of Madison said:
“As parents, we find it hard, with the cost of everything, and the travel expense more so, if you have to stay over. Equipment over the years has got more expensive, making it harder to purchase quality products. I also find it harder now myself to drive her around, so her dad has to make sure he has the time off for us to travel to the Welsh games making things more difficult at times.”
The fund is available to young individuals who have a burning desire or talent for sport. There is no restriction on the type of sport they wish to pursue within scope of the fund and it is open for applications all year round.
David Martin-Jewell, director of Front Runner Events said:
“We are thrilled to be able to help young people like Madsion and hope that her story will inspire others to take up sport or apply to our ‘Leave More Than A Footprint’ fund. The aim of the fund is to help remove the barriers that may prevent someone to participate or continue in sport. It’s an easy application process, and the team are here to help answer any questions to anyone, who think they fit in with the aim of the fund.”
“I would also like to personally thank all of those who have donated to ‘Leave More Than A Footprint’. There have been many people who have donated towards the fund through entry to our races and without their donations, people like Madison wouldn’t have received the assistance they deserve.”
Carly added:
“Thank you Front Runner Events for giving my daughter the chance to stay in sport and carry on not only playing for her city or county but mainly the country with netball and cricket. It’s enabled her to pick a better range of equipment needed and boosted her confidence immensely!”
Should you know of someone who would benefit from “Leave More Than A Footprint” please visit the website for further information or download the application form here: www.frontrunnerevents.co.uk/charityfund
If this story has inspired you to #RunSwansea and take on the half marathon challenge or just fancy participating in the family dash this summer head to: www.swanseahalfmarathon.co.uk to register today! Entries are open for both race distances and are suitable for any ability. The JCP Swansea Half Marathon is a road race that is flat, and fast on a course that is perfect for beginners and first time half marathon runners. Find their facebook page, follow them on twitter or Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.
