More than than £240,000 has been awarded to 120 community-based organisations impacted by this summer’s riots through the new London Marathon Foundation Community Solidarity Fund, delivered in partnership with Sported.

This unique fund was swiftly set up in September in response to the needs of community organisations impacted by the race riots across the UK after the deaths of three young girls in a knife attack in Southport on 29 July. Community centres were damaged, local activities cancelled, and income lost. Staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to provide support and comfort in fearful, disrupted communities. 

The London Marathon Foundation recognised that this disruption and loss of income, on top of the cost-of-living crisis, was impacting significantly on clubs and organisations. The Foundation believed that grassroots organisations embedded in the communities they serve were best placed to offer targeted support where it was most needed.

The Solidarity Fund was launched in September 2024 with grants distributed through Sported. A budget of £240,000 was allocated to provide targeted support of £2,000 to sports clubs and groups which had been financially or logistically impacted by the violence. The fund targeted organisations across the UK with a focus on areas where rioting had been widespread.

Nick Bitel, London Marathon Group CEO, said: “We were acutely aware that community-based organisations were hit hard while also being called upon to provide support locally and we recognised that this would put already squeezed organisations under potentially critical pressure. The London Marathon Foundation Community Solidarity Fund was created to demonstrate solidarity and offer a little immediate help. We know this won’t solve the long-term effects of the dreadful violence we saw, but hope it offers the clubs and groups impacted some respite.”

Sported CEO, Sarah Kaye, added: “Grassroots sports organisations are brilliant at making a real difference through targeted and meaningful help. The application process highlighted so many inspiring and innovative ideas to support and unite communities across the UK. We’re pleased the fund has been able to deliver assistance where it is most needed to underpin the work of these clubs and groups.”

 To ensure that funds could be paid out quickly and provide much-needed immediate short-term relief, awards were capped at £2,000, enabling a simple, swift application and sign-off process and faster payment of funds.

Emile Coleman, co-founder of Sported member, Toxteth El8te CIC, said: “Thanks to the London Marathon Foundation’s Community Solidarity Fund, we’ve been able to provide essential transport for high-risk participants in our programme here at Toxteth El8te CIC.

“The grant has been a lifeline, especially after the upheaval following the riots, allowing us to maintain crucial access to safe spaces and support for those most affected. This support has not only enabled continuity in our services but has strengthened our commitment to fostering resilience and positive change within our community.”

As of 31 October, 120 awards have been paid and all eligible organisations that applied were granted support. Applications were received from across the UK and especially in areas that had seen the most disruption.

Successful applicants include:

Blackburn Blind Sports, which offers weekly sport sessions supporting blind people to access sport in an inclusive setting. Almost every member at the sessions is Muslim and of South Asian ethnicity.

The sessions were paused while protests and counter protests took place in the town with some members too scared to leave their homes for fear of being targeted.

Blackburn Blind Sports used the grant to fund direct transport in the short term for their members to travel safely. They also changed venue to a more secure council-run sports hall.

Its chair, Salim Patel, said: “This summer created some worrying times for us, but the London Marathon Foundation Solidarity Fund was one of many ways that we as a disabled and diverse community felt supported. The fund enabled us to look at keeping our members, who are blind, even more safe and without it, we might have had to consider stopping our sessions completely.”

The Mindset Wirral CIC is a Black, female-led organisation in the Seacombe area of Wirral, Merseyside, which supports a diverse range of people and communities and promotes togetherness. The organisation offers mental health and wellbeing courses, training and group support for fellow peers and organisations to share experiences. It uses physical activity sessions to help improve members’ wellbeing.

Within four hours of the stabbing in Southport, the group’s building was targeted and during the riots faced repeated attacks. The community began delivering their day-to-day activities online either early or late in the day due to fear of being targeted throughout the day.

The funding was used to install a remote release and intercom on the entrance door and an option to disable all activation to lock the door in emergencies, allowing the community to begin a gradual return to the centre.

 Abraham Moss Warriors at the Heart of the Community CIC, Crumpsall, North Manchester, used funding to put on open days encouraging the community to feel safe to return to normal activities. Police and local leaders attended for much-needed reassurance. Attendees could also use taxis if that helped them feel safer to attend.

The Sapphire Employability and Wellbeing Academy, London, used funding to help recover from the riots’ impact, rebuilding safe spaces for physical activity, and providing essential support to the Black, Brown, Muslim, and other marginalised communities who rely on the academy’s services. The funding allowed it to maintain and expand programming, ensuring continuity, safety, and holistic support for those in need.

ArtPerUK CIC, Lambeth, London. The Peruvian dance and performance collective reinstated missed lessons, rehearsals and training for children and young people. The group also spoke with individuals who were worried about leaving home and put on a community day with all members to reinforce the safe space.

Organisations that applied for support were varied in how they proposed to use funding, showing a creative and targeted approach to supporting their communities.