Bristol Bears Community Foundation is delighted to receive a generous £4,000 donation from The Genge Fund to support the Bright Sparks programme.

The Foundation is one of five youth charities in Bristol to benefit from a fundraising campaign by The Genge Fund, which was officially launched by renowned England international and Bristol Bears star Ellis Genge towards the end of last year.

A gala dinner hosted by The Genge Fund at Ashton Gate raised £22,000 to support a variety of initiatives – including the Bright Sparks programme – aimed at improving young people’s access to sports, education, and wellbeing across the city.

With the help of the Quartet Community Foundation, from the total funds raised, £4,000 will be donated to each of the following organisations: Young Bristol, Youth Moves, Grassroots Communities, Lansdowne School, and the Bristol Bears Community Foundation, with the remaining funds to be used towards community fundraisers.

At the Bristol Bears Community Foundation, this generous donation will directly support our ‘Bright Sparks’ programme, which harnesses the power of rugby to enhance education, mental health and overall wellbeing for young people.

Jamie Skinner, Bristol Bears Community Foundation CEO, said: “We extend our deepest thanks to The Genge Fund, the Quartet Community Foundation, and everyone who contributed to this initiative. Your support allows us to continue making a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Bristol through the power of rugby.”

Bristol-born Genge’s support of the Bristol Bears’ official charity follows his appointment as the Bristol Bears Community Foundation’s first ambassador.

Bright Sparks uses sport to engage with and educate some of the most disaffected young people in the most deprived areas of Bristol and Genge recently visited a session at Merchants Academy School to see first-hand the impact the programme has had.

Genge said: “We are incredibly proud to have raised £22,000 for these fantastic organisations. These donations will make a real difference in the lives of young people in Bristol, providing them with opportunities to thrive through sport, education, and wellbeing initiatives. The Genge Fund is committed to supporting the next generation, and we believe that sport is a powerful tool for positive change.”