Foster’s race to grow future sporting stars from grassroo
EXCLUSIVE
legend Brendan Foster has helped to raise more than half-a-billion pounds for good causes – but his race is still far from run.
Now 72, the founder of the Great North Run wants the incredible event to help transform the way Britain funds grassroots sport.
He said: “With all the health concerns and obesity crisis that we have in the country I’m afraid sport at a grassroots level has always been at the back of the queue.
“But if it wasn’t for participation at this level then we would never create either the elite athletes or give people a lifelong love of participating.
“It needs to stop being the poor relation because it is so essential to the nation’s health.”
The solution, he says, could be Made By Sport – a charitable foundation which will be promoted by his beloved half marathon when it returns for its 40th year in 2021.
The charity will act as an umbrella organisation to distribute money to causes which help to coach and inspire youngsters through sport.
And there is no doubt Brendan’s backing for charity will make incredible difference.
Since organising the first Great North Run in 1981 the event has that the an raised more than £500million. But he admits grassroots sports has always suffered in raising cash compared to charities operating in the health sector, such as hospices.
Made By Sport is looking to change that and hopes to raise at least £40million over the next four years – mainly from runners who take on the half-marathon but are unsure of who to raise money for.
The Olympic medallist, who went on to become the voice of athletics on BBC, explained why his latest cause was so important to him.
“As a boy growing up on Tyneside all I wanted was to play centre forward for Newcastle United”, he added.
“But it was a teacher at school who suggested I should give running a go so I went to Jarrow and Hebburn Athletics Club and then Gateshead Harriers.
“All of these organisations were run by volunteers and what we didn’t realise at the time was that they were not just providing us with coaching but a network of roots that would allow us to go beyond where we ever thought we would be.
“I can’t imagine a scenario where I could have progressed my career the way I did without the help and support of volunteers and grassroots clubs.
“These people drove us to fixtures and competitions, supported and encouraged us and gave up their own time, all for the love of sport.
“Sport requires application, dedication and perseverance.
“You commit hours to practisATHLETICS’