The Running Bee Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £190,289 (income year ending March 2022)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Up to £2,000
• Geographic Focus: Manchester and North West England (specifically towns hosting foundation events)

Contact Details

Address: Sports Tours, 91 Walkden Road, Worsley, Manchester M28 7BQ

Phone: 1617038161

Website: www.runningbeefoundation.co.uk

Application Information: Application form available at https://images.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/grant-application-fill-in-compressed.pdf

Overview

The Running Bee Foundation was launched in December 2018 by Sports Tours International, the UK's leading sports tour operator, and was created in memory of Mo Done, a much-loved community figure who supported many Manchester charities and played an integral part in the development of Sports Tours International. Mo Done was a passionate runner who completed many marathons around the world and had a huge positive influence on the business. The charity champions health and wellbeing initiatives, promotes the benefits of an active lifestyle, and helps fight childhood obesity. Operating under the motto #BeeActiveBeeHealthyBeeHappy, the foundation makes funding accessible to all parts of the communities it serves with no restriction on age, financial status, religion, or gender. In 2019, the foundation had a projected £50,000 pot available for qualifying projects. The Running Bee Foundation was awarded Charity of the Year 2021 by the Educate North Awards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Community Health & Wellbeing Grants: Up to £2,000 per project (application via PDF form submission)
• Grants distributed from profits raised from nine UK running events held throughout the year
• Rolling application process linked to event calendar (May through December)

Priority Areas

• Health and wellbeing initiatives for local residents
• Active lifestyle programs and events
• Projects addressing childhood obesity
• Mental health and wellbeing support programs
• Community sports initiatives
• School-based physical activity programs
• Partnerships with local mental health organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Projects outside Manchester and the North West England region
• Projects not aligned with health, wellbeing, and active lifestyle objectives
• Individual applications for personal benefit (grants go to community groups and charities)

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL (appointed April 2019)

• Manchester's first openly gay Lord Mayor
• Ambassador of Manchester Pride since May 2016
• Received OBE in 2020 New Years Honours List for services to Charity, LGBTQ+ Equality and Communities
• Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester (appointed November 2019)
• LGBT Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham

Founder and Trustee: Chris Bird

• CEO of Sports Tours International
• Founded the charity stating: "I'm immensely proud to have launched The Running Bee Foundation in honour of Mo Done"

Other Trustees (as of 2022 records):

• Emma Lucy Marsh (appointed 2022)
• Jan Collins (appointed 2022)

Governance Notes:

• 3 trustees total
• 25 volunteers support the foundation
• No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity
• No employees have total benefits exceeding £60,000

Founded by: Sports Tours International, established by Fred Done (also founder of Betfred)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted via a PDF form available at: https://images.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/grant-application-fill-in-compressed.pdf

Additional information is available at: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/sportstours-event-categories/running-bee-foundation/

Eligibility: Grants are available to community groups and local charities in towns and cities hosting the nine foundation events, including:

• Tour of Tameside
• Hell on the Fell race
• Hero Half Marathon
• UKFast City of Manchester 10k and family fun run
• City of Preston 10k
• Events held across Knowsley, Tameside, Manchester, Salford, Liverpool, and Preston

Application Method: Rolling basis - applications can be submitted throughout the year

Decision Timeline

Decision timeframes are not publicly available. Applicants should expect to hear back after their application has been reviewed by trustees.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application numbers are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions have been documented. Organizations are encouraged to apply if they meet eligibility criteria.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Foundation Mission: Projects should clearly demonstrate how they will “improve the health and well being of local residents and help tackle the challenge of childhood obesity.”

Geographic Relevance: Strong preference for projects in communities where the foundation's running events take place, as these communities directly contribute to the foundation's funding through event participation.

Accessibility and Inclusion: The foundation emphasizes making “funding accessible to all parts of the communities we serve with no restriction on age, financial status, religion or gender.” Applications should demonstrate inclusive approaches.

Examples of Funded Projects:

• Anthony Seddon Trust: Received grant towards work supporting mental health and wellbeing of Tameside residents
• Previous recipients include Age UK, local schools, boxing clubs, and community playing fields

Community Impact Focus: Projects should serve community groups and demonstrate clear benefits for local residents, particularly around physical activity and mental wellbeing.

Partnership Approach: The foundation has demonstrated willingness to partner with other organizations for special initiatives, such as their collaboration with FareShare (UK's largest charity fighting hunger and food waste).

LGBTQ+ Inclusion: Under Chair Carl Austin-Behan's leadership, the foundation has shown commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion, including launching a limited-edition Rainbow Laces T-shirt in support of Pride Sports.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Maximum grant of £2,000 - structure your budget accordingly and consider this for smaller community projects or as part of a larger funding mix
• Geographic focus is critical - ensure your project serves communities in Manchester and the North West, particularly areas hosting foundation events (Tameside, Manchester, Salford, Preston, Knowsley, Liverpool)
• Health and obesity prevention are core priorities - clearly articulate how your project promotes physical activity, healthy lifestyles, or addresses childhood obesity
• Strong community connection - the foundation values grassroots community impact and has previously funded diverse organizations from Age UK to boxing clubs to schools
• Rolling applications - you can apply throughout the year rather than waiting for specific deadlines, allowing flexibility in timing
• Inclusive approach required - demonstrate how your project will be accessible regardless of age, financial status, religion, or gender
• Mental health is valued - the Anthony Seddon Trust grant demonstrates the foundation funds mental wellbeing alongside physical health initiatives
• Reporting currently overdue - note that charity reporting was overdue by 696 days as of recent Charity Commission data, which may indicate administrative capacity constraints

References

• Charity Commission - The Running Bee Foundation
• Giving is Great - The Running Bee Foundation Charity Factsheet
• Sports Tours International - A Mo-mentous day for The Running Bee Foundation
• RunABC - Running Bee Foundation launched to back sport in the community
• Not Really Here Media - Running Bee Foundation grants are now open
• Smiley Movement - Running Bee Foundation and FareShare team up
• RunABC - The Running Bee Foundation unveils Rainbow Laces T-shirt
• LGBT Foundation - Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL joins LGBT Foundation

Accessed: December 2025