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Local groups and organisations will be able to bid for community grants when London Marathon Events brings RideLondon to Epping Forest in May.
Showcase the Epping Forest district
Speaking at the meeting of Epping Forest District Council on Thursday, Communities Portfolio Holder Aniket Patel said:
The event organiser is London Marathon Events and we will be working closely with the organisers to ensure the district is able to capitalise on the phenomenal opportunities an event of this magnitude can bring.
RideLondon is a huge charitable event which raises large sums of money for good causes. In its first 7 editions it raised approximately £80 million for charities. It will also be broadcast on TV and will be a wonderful chance to showcase the Epping Forest district.
Councillor Patel continued:
Third sector organisations in the district which inspire activity will be eligible for funding from The London Marathon Charitable Trust. During the event’s time in Surrey from 2013 to 2019, nearly £5 million was granted to a wide range of organisations in the local community which would not have had access to this level of funding.
RideLondon inspired community projects
Following announcement of the routes going through the district, teams from Epping Forest District Council have started to develop RideLondon inspired community projects.
Councillor Patel said:
We have a comprehensive ‘Activation Plan’ in place with activity ahead of the weekend itself including:
- An expanded Cycling 4 Health Programme across the district
- Providing bikeability sessions for local children (this used to be call cycling proficiency)
- Family bike rides
- Working closely with schools we`ll be sharing an education toolkit around physical activity and supporting pupils to design flags and banners for the event, holding bunting competitions for finish line and so on
- Through Places Leisure we are arranging competitions, challenges and cycling themed activities at our leisure centres
- We have reached out to Epping and Ongar Town Councils and will be working closely with them to organise wonderful fan-zones over the weekend itself. There will be stalls, music, arts & crafts, bunting (red, white & blue!) and activities on offer to create a real buzz!
- We also aim to encourage community groups to come along and have a presence over the weekend – it will be even bigger and better than the Tour de France!
Promotion of sustainable transport
Councillor Patel added:
The promotion of sustainable transport is an important part of our initiative to reduce carbon emissions in the battle against climate change, and RideLondon ties in with this brilliantly.
Ultimately the publicity will also help to boost our local high street economies with all the positives that brings in terms of jobs and investment.
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