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Bristol Bears flagship fundraising event to return
In June, Bristol Bears Community Foundation will host the 15th edition of their biggest annual fundraising event, Break The Cycle.
With the help of support from corporate sponsors and local businesses, the charity aims to raise £20,000 for Bristol’s young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Break The Cycle will take place on June 29 and offers riders a choice of three routes – 33km, 66km and 100km – which all start and finish at Ashton Gate.
is needed now More than ever
Break the Cycle charity bike ride for the Bristol Sport, Bristol Bears and Robins Foundations, on June 30, 2024 at Ashton Gate.
For Bristol Bears Community Foundation chief executive Jamie Skinner, this will be the first time he has led a fundraiser of this size and scale.
“I think the values of rugby are instilled across of all of our work and can make meaningful change, whether that be through teamwork, friendships or problem solving,” Skinner told Bristol24/7 on a recent afternoon at the Bears High Performance Centre in Failand.
The club is committed to its work within the community via the work of the foundation; aiming to tackle the impacts of inequality by working within areas of deprivation across our city.
The foundation currently works within four key focus areas: health and wellbeing, education and skills, community rugby, and inclusion.
They work with around 5,000 people per year, ranging from age five to older adults, tackling issues like social isolation, physical inactivity, mental wellbeing and ultimately increasing aspirations among Bristol’s most vulnerable.
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“I think we’ve got a real opportunity to make a difference across all of those spaces using the unique brand of Bristol Bears,” Skinner said.
The charity’s initiatives include Bright Sparks, which supports boys who are disengaged within a mainstream classroom environment by using sport and providing an alternative to a classroom setting.
Bear in Mind is similarly a health and wellbeing programme which equips girls with the tools to tackle struggles surrounding self-esteem, body image and build resilience.
This year, they are evolving their strategy to respond to Bristol’s particular needs such as knife crime, low attendance within schools and a lack of physical activity for many.
“We want to be considered a go-to organisation within Bristol to address key societal needs,” said Skinner.
To find out more and to enter Break The Cycle, visit www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/entries-open-for-break-the-cycle-2025
All photos: Bristol Bears Community Foundation
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