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
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
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
CARERS IN BEDFORDSHIRE
We support unpaid carers across Bedfordshire. Founded in 2004 we have grown rapidly to support over 12,000 carers who are looking after a loved one that couldn’t manage without them. Unpaid carers often put themselves last and as a result, their own health, general wellbeing and financial situation can suffer, which in turn affects their ability to provide care. We support carers with wellbeing, grants, information, peer support and much more to ensure that they can remain caring for as long as is needed.
To join our running crew this year please e-mail or call us on 0300 111 1919.
Contact - fundraising@carersinbeds.org.uk
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
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