Mars opens sporting fund for all
£5,000 a month up for grabs
Research undertaken by Mars Refuel earlier this year revealed that almost a quarter of people feel that they don’t have enough money to start participating in sport, or to keep that involvement going.
Step forward the Mars Refuel Drink Fund, created to help people overcome these financial barriers and allow them to play sport for longer by offering awards of up to £5,000 to teams and individuals.
The Mars Refuel Drink Fund, which runs until September 30 2011, has £5,000 to donate each month.
David Bowkett (pictured), from Swansea, is one such athlete who has benefitted from the Mars Refuel Drink Fund. The £500 David received has been put towards the 2011 World Duathlon Championships, which will be held in Gijon, Spain, in September, where he will be competing in the 20-24 age-group category. This will represent a major milestone for David’s sporting career as a good result in Spain could lead to an elite race license.
David says: “I work as a community worker in Swansea and train part-time. I’ve made huge progress in my sport recently after having being injured last year.
“With this donation from the MARS Refuel Drink Fund I can compete at the World Duathlon Championships in Spain. The funding will be a great boost in helping me achieve my potential in sport as it means I can compete and play longer. A big thank you goes out to MARS Refuel.”
Applications can be made online at www.marsrefuel.com offering support with anything from equipment and travel costs, to improving training grounds and club houses.
The fund is open to residents of, and clubs and organisations based in the UK and Republic of Ireland only. Applicants must be 12 years or over and only one application will be accepted per person, club or organisation.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
