Ron Pickering Memorial Fund and Lloyd Cowan Bursary partner to support young athletes and coaches

Two of the UK's leading athletics charities, the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund and the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, are joining forces to boost support for young athletes and coaches. Their partnership will combine fundraising efforts at the TCS London Marathon and streamline grant applications to ensure funds reach those most in need.

A Shared Vision

Since their establishment - Ron Pickering Memorial Fund in 1991, and the Lloyd Cowan Bursary in 2021, both charities have played key roles in helping young British athletes and coaches overcome challenges to progress in their sport. This collaboration strengthens their shared mission, particularly at a time when financial pressures are increasing.

Olympic and World 400m Champion Christine Ohuruogu, a founding Trustee of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary - established in memory of her late coach - welcomes the partnership:

"In 2022, we collaborated with RPMF on an art exhibition showcasing athletes' talents, including Olympic 800m Champion Keely Hodgkinson. We are excited to join forces again for fundraising at the TCS London Marathon. This partnership allows us to support more athletes and coaches while preserving the independence and identity of both charities."

Olympian Jo Jennings-Summers, a Trustee of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, also expressed her enthusiasm about the collaboration with the Lloyd Cowan Bursary:

"Over the years, I’ve come to know the Pickering family well and greatly benefited from Lloyd's friendship and experience during our time together at GB Under 20 Championships. So, this partnership offers both strong emotional and key strategic benefits."

A major feature of this partnership is the shared allocation of fundraising places at the TCS London Marathon, enabling both charities to raise essential funds. Each charity is seeking 10 runners to fundraise a minimum of £2000 each. If you are interested in participating, please contact the charities for more information.

2012 Olympian Abdul Buhari, a Trustee of the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, added:

"By aligning our grant processes, we can maximise the impact of the funds raised by our London Marathon runners, supporting as many athletes and coaches as possible."

While the two charities will work closely together, they will each retain their own governance and processes. Looking ahead, this partnership could set a precedent for other memorial funds to join, creating a lasting legacy of support for athletics.

"We are truly grateful for the continued support of the TCS London Marathon, particularly for the fundraising places allocated to us each year,” noted Jennings-Summers. “These fundraisers are crucial to sustaining the development of young athletes and coaches across the UK."