Bristol Bears Foundation awarded £30k funding for Vets Hub walking rugby

Bristol Bears Foundation has been awarded a £30,000 grant by The Veterans’ Foundation for a new programme supporting the Armed Forces community.

The funding, which will run over the next three years until April 2029, will enable Bears Foundation to deliver two weekly walking rugby sessions in South Bristol for veterans in the local community as part of the charity’s Access and Inclusion provision.

Vets Rugby Hub will provide veterans with opportunities to stay active, improve wellbeing, build social connections and be part of a supportive environment.

The Veterans’ Foundation is a grant-giving charity, set up in 2016 to raise funds and give grants to charitable organisations that support serving and former members of the armed forces and their dependants who are in need.

Ollie Morton, Head of Projects and Development at Bristol Bears Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to The Veterans’ Foundation for their support of this exciting new programme. The Vets Rugby Hub will provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where veterans can come together, stay active and build meaningful social connections through rugby. This funding allows us to make a long-term commitment to supporting veterans and continue to use the power of rugby to positively impact lives across our communities.”

Vets Hub walking rugby

Jane Gurney, CEO of The Veterans’ Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to support Bristol Bears Foundation and their new Vets Rugby Hub programme. Initiatives like this play such an important role in helping veterans feel connected, valued and supported within their communities. The power of sport to improve wellbeing and bring people together is truly remarkable, and we’re so proud to help create opportunities for veterans to build friendships, stay active and enjoy the sense of belonging rugby can provide.”

The Vets Rugby Hub programme has been launched with a new weekly Walking Rugby session starting on Fridays from 3.30-4.30pm at St Bernadette’s Old Boys RFC.

Designed for veterans and anyone looking to try the sport for the first time, walking rugby offers an inclusive and accessible way for participants of all abilities and experience levels to enjoy the physical and social benefits of the game.

Kayleigh Passfield, Bristol Bears Foundation Inclusion Projects Manager, added: “The Vets Rugby Hub has been developed to create a welcoming space where veterans can reconnect through physical activity, shared experiences and the camaraderie that rugby provides.

“Walking rugby is a fantastic way to bring people together, regardless of previous playing experience, and we’re excited to launch the programme. Thanks to the support of the Veterans’ Foundation, we can provide a consistent and sustainable offer that will help veterans improve their physical wellbeing, strengthen social connections and feel part of their local community. We look forward to welcoming veterans to our first session and growing the programme over the coming years.”

This new programme reinforces the Foundation’s Beyond The Bear strategy, using the power of rugby to create healthier, stronger and more connected communities across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Find out more:

Source: https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/foundation/bristol-bears-foundation-awarded-30k-veterans-foundation-funding/

#walkingrugby #walkingsports #walkingsport

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