An Important Update on ADMF and Our Future Charity Direction

After more than 15 years of pride, commitment, and generosity, Great Western Runners has made the difficult decision to wind down the Arthur Dagger Memorial Fund (ADMF).

Since its inception, ADMF has been a meaningful part of our club’s charitable identity, created to support young athletes and honour Arthur’s legacy. Over its lifetime, ADMF supported more than 150 athletes and raised over £20,000, helping young people access opportunities they may otherwise not have had. This impact is something the club is immensely proud of.

However, after careful consideration, the club has concluded that ADMF is no longer reaching its intended audience as effectively as hoped and has become unsustainable to continue in its current form. This decision has not been taken lightly, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported ADMF over the years through fundraising, volunteering, and advocacy.

While this chapter comes to a close, we are excited to announce a new and more inclusive approach to charitable giving at Great Western Runners.

Going forward, the club will adopt a yearly charity model, allowing members to vote at each AGM on the charity the club supports for the following year. This ensures our charitable efforts remain relevant, impactful, and shaped by our membership.

We are delighted to confirm that the chosen charity for 2025/26 is Access Sport Bristol. Access Sport Bristol is a fantastic organisation that helps young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and disabled children access and engage in sport. By removing barriers and creating opportunities, they make a real difference through the power of physical activity — values that strongly align with those of Great Western Runners.

• Access Sport is a national charity formed in 2004.
• We believe that no one should be excluded from the life-changing benefits of community sport.
• The benefits we focus on are physical and mental health and well-being, personal development, including life skills and prospects, sense of belonging and community engagement.
• We train, equip and support community sports clubs, organisations, coaches and volunteers to provide inclusive sport and physical activity, unleashing their potential to change the lives of undeserved young people in their local communities. ​

We look forward to supporting Access Sport Bristol over the coming year and embracing this new chapter of community impact together. Thank you to everyone who has been part of ADMF’s journey and to our members for helping shape a positive and inclusive future for the club.

Mark

GWR Club Chair