RUN FOR CHARITY
Running for a charity and knowing you have helped someone else along the way gives you that additional motivation to help reach your racing goals and makes it so much more of a rewarding experience!
All of our charity partners have spaces available in our events and every charity will offer you incentives to help you reach your fundraising goals, as well as invaluable support and advice in the lead up to, and on your big day.
If you’re interested in running for one of our amazing charity partners either by running directly for the charity or by using your own place - please get in touch directly with them using the contact details below - they will be so happy to hear from you!
If you work for a charity, and are interested in getting involved in the Bedford Run Fest please email events@activetrainingworld.co.uk for further information.
ACCESS BEDFORD
Access Bedford’s aim is to work with the D/deaf and hard of hearing community to make Bedford more accessible. Access Bedford is set up to promote social inclusion among members of the D/deaf and hard of hearing community living in Bedford and the surrounding area. We do this by: raising public awareness of the issues affecting D/deaf people, compaigning for the promotion of British Sign Language to be on an equal footing to spoken and written English, and providing recreational facilities and opportunities for D/deaf people.
Contact - info@accessbedford.org.uk
BEDFORD GIVING
We’re a group of passionate businesses, charities and other partners, who have all come together to form Bedford Giving with a united single goal – to help create a brighter future for the next generation in Bedford.
We believe everyone in Bedford has something to give – time, skills, funds – and by all working together, we can achieve more than we could on our own.
Together we’re kick starting a range of transformational projects. And we need your help.
Contact - contact@bedfordgiving.org.uk
BEDFORDSHIRE HOSPITALS NHS CHARITY
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Charity's key aim is to service patients at Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable University Hospital by supporting items above NHS provision and understanding the difference we can make together, to patients lives both now and in the future. We put this into practice by helping the patients, their families carers, and visitors by:
- Funding medical research to better understand the diseases afecting our patients, to that we can develop the cures and therapies
- Enhancing the care our hospital can offer, through making grants for new equipment and building better facilities
- Investing in NHS staff, in particiular by supporting staff engagment
- Supporting the creation of a caring environment for patients, their families and visitors
- Making a number of smaller grants for the provision of extra comforts for patients, to support activities recommended as part of their rehabilitation.
Please consider running to help us vital funds to support our cause!
Contact - fundraising@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk
BEDFORD MS THERAPY CENTRE
Our charity provides professional specialist therapies and support for people living with MS and similar rare neurological conditions. We support people throughout their illness, in a friendly, self-help environment, and also support carers, friends and families.
If you have MS, or a similar neurological condition please come and see us – there is something here for you
Contact - fundraising@mscentrebedsandnorthants.com
BEYOND DETENTION
Beyond Detention is a charity based in Bedford. Our mission is to through emotional and practical support empower, restore dignity to and improve the wellbeing of people in Yarls’ Wood Immigration Detention Removal Centre and after their release. We invite you to help us raise funds and awareness by running for us at Bedford Running Festival.
Contact - info@beyonddetention.org
BLUES FOUNDATION
Blues Foundation are the charitable arm of Bedford Bluess, our aim is to use the values of rugby and sport to promote positive lifestyle choices. We deliver projects into schools and wider communities that improve physical and mental wellbeing, create inclusive opportunities for all to access physical activity and develop skills in young people. Since the start of the pandemic we have supported the people locally who need it most by providing 5000 meals and collecting second hand devices for children unable to access education at home. So far over 1000 laptops have been distributed across Bedfordshire alongside wider partners.
Contact - info@bluesfoundation.org.uk
BRAINSTRUST
brainstrust provides personalised support and resources to help people living with a brain tumour and their loved ones, to live the life they want after diagnosis. Their mission is to ensure everyone with a brain tumour is supported and resourced to live the life they want, because we are people first, and patients second. brainstrust campaigns to raise awareness of the impact of brain tumours and end fear and loneliness in the brain tumour community.
Contact - hello@brainstrust.org.uk
CHUMS
CHUMS is a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing support for Children, Young People, and their families, with other services specifically supporting adults; Baby loss Bereavement Service and Suicide Bereavement Service. We support over 3,000 children, young people, and their families every year and this number is growing all the time. The children we meet need specialist support to help with anxiety, increase self-worth and build resilience. Every child is different and presents with different issues, therefore we provide a range of services to help each individual young person. Our experienced clinicians can provide the right support, at the right time - allowing them to go forward and reach their full potential.
Contact - claire.feasey@chumscharity.org
KING’S ARM PROJECT
King's Arms Project was started over 30 years ago, as a response to seeing people sleeping rough on the streets of Bedford. Founded on the Biblical mandate for social justice, we have grown into a charity which works with the local community and National Government. We provide professional advice, innovative solutions and person-centered care to those at risk of homelessness and social isolation. HOPE. We believe there is hope for everyone, always. COMMUNITY. We all thrive when we are connected in community. GOD IS GOOD. We trust in God and His goodness for everything we do. LEARNING & EXCELLENCE. By seeking to learn, listen and grow we are better able to achieve excellence in all that we do. Through the generosity of people's donations, we have seen/helped hundreds of people move out of poverty into safe, supported accommodation providing community, advice, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. We invite you to join us on this mission today and run with us to raise money to help prevent homelessness, displacement, and isolation.
Contact - stuart.mccaw@kingsarmsproject.org
LIVING IT UP
Living It Up Events formed in 2009. Originally a community group, it became a Community Interest Company in 2016 and a Charity in 2022. Living It Up was initially set up to promote Mencap’s ’Stay Up Late’ national campaign. This campaign was to promote the rights of people with a learning disability to stay up late and have fun. Living It Up now has 5 services currently for adults with learning disabilities and or autism: our original Living It Up Events service (holding bi-monthly discos), a Performing Arts Centre (providing daytime sessions four days a week), Gr8 Mates (for people looking for a friend or partner), Gig Buddies (a befriending service which provides trained volunteers to support participants to go out socially) and we also run a wheelchair accessible Community Centre. 'Our mission is to continue to provide innovative, exciting and empowering social and educational opportunities for adults with disabilities and/or autism.'
Contact - events@lovelivingitup.org
NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST
National Animal Welfare Trust is one of the UK’s top animal welfare charities operating five rehoming centres across the south of England. The charity now cares for and rehomes around 1200 animals a year and is active in all the local communities in which it serves. NAWT takes in and rehomes cats, dogs and small animals providing them vital care and treatment whilst they wait for their new home. The cost to care for these animals in need is high and the charity receives no government funding. Continuing our work is made achievable through the crucial support of the public and the dedicated fundraising efforts of our teams and volunteers.
Two of NAWT’s Centres are excited to be involved with the Bedford Running Festival for the first time this year! So if you’d like to get your running shoes on and fundraise for NAWT Bedfordshire or NAWT Hertfordshire please contact us on the details below:
Contact Bedfordshire - n.leach@nawt.org.uk
Contact Hertfordshire - j.hantonne@nawt.org.uk
NOAH
NOAH is a Bedfordshire-based charity which works with people experiencing homelessness, poverty and other disadvantages. We work with our clients to make positive changes in their life by providing care and advice services, employment and wellbeing workshops, and opportunities for employment. We have a dedicated outreach team who support people rough-sleeping, a welfare centre where people can receive anything from a hot meal to help accessing accommodation and healthcare, and an employment Academy.
Contact - community@noahenterprise.org
SMART PREBEND CENTRE
Come and join the team from SMART!
SMART charity supports people in Bedford and Milton Keynes who are homeless, facing homelessness or are vulnerably housed. We also run a much needed day centre on Prebend Street that’s open all year round to those who have fallen on hard times. It’s a warm, safe place, where our community can come for urgent and ongoing help. We offer free hot food, showers, bedding, and clean clothes. Our team, volunteers and partners provide advice and support on many topics including housing, health, and debt.
Why not join our team and support our campaign to end homelessness in Bedford by 2027.
Contact - prebend@smartcjs.org.uk
SUE RYDER ST JOHN’S HOSPICE
Our hospice, located in Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire, provides expert care for life-limiting conditions. We're here to help local people and their families, with everything from pain and symptom management to emotional and practical help. Our doctors, nurses, therapists, counsellors and physiotherapists can make all the difference. The specialist care they provide means that people's lives are filled with friendships, family and favourite pastimes right until the end.
Contact - events@sueryder.org
WILLEN HOSPICE
Willen Hospice’s care touches thousands of local people every year. We give comfort, ease pain and reduce anxiety for patients and their loved ones. Every pound given makes a difference - as it enables us to do more for more people across Milton Keynes when and where they need us. We receive less than a quarter of our funding from the NHS, which means the rest is donated or fundraised for by amazing local people. This is why your support is so important and so appreciated - from everyone we help, thank you.
Contact - challenges@willen-hospice.org.uk