HHV becomes grantee in latest round of funding for grassroots cycling projects
Herne Hill Velodrome Announces Major Investment from The Rapha Foundation to Support Off-Road Cycling Development
Herne Hill will receive $200,000 (£167,118) to put towards increasing availability of its off-road facilities including the employment of an off-road development officer. The centre received the funding alongside other repeat grantees, the Rayner Foundation and City Academies, who both received new grants of $150,000 each.
Tim McInnes, Chair of Herne Hill Velodrome Trust said: "Herne Hill Velodrome is delighted to receive this grant from The Rapha Foundation. It complements the Foundation's first award made to us in 2019, and it will allow us to extend our cycling development activity in exciting ways including into off-road riding for the first time. We are also pleased that the Foundation is choosing Herne Hill Velodrome to build on its commitments to grassroots cycling in the UK. In uncertain times we believe it is critical that cycle sport, and the benefits it brings, can remain accessible to the widest community of current and future riders."
The funding from the Rapha Foundation will partially be put towards an off-road development officer, who will build awareness of the centre’s trails in the community and build upon the cycling training sessions on offer. The role will also help launch events from the grassroots of off-road up to competitive riding. Additional investment in the centre’s trails will help create routes for varying abilities. The role of Youth Development Officer, funded by the initial Rapha Foundation grant, will be extended for another year.
Francois Convercey, Co-Managing Director of Rapha said: “As a brand, Rapha has always been about cycling as a way of life, about the culture and the benefits the activity can bring to entire communities. I feel honoured that we are in a position to support the institutions that nurture a passion for cycling from an early age. Organisations such as Herne Hill Velodrome do not exist to earn a profit - their motives are far more noble than that. They deserve all the support they can get.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Thea Smith – Cycling Development Manager - tsmith@hhvt.org
About Rapha
Rapha was established in 2004 to address a need for stylish, high performance cycling clothing. It now provides products for every cyclist and continues to push the boundaries of innovation in cycle wear. Alongside this, Rapha has cultivated a global community of passionate riders who come together as members of the Rapha Cycling Club (RCC), the largest club of its kind in the world. Rapha’s retail model and unique brand values come to life in its many rides and events and global network of Clubhouses that combine retail, cafés and cycling culture all under the same roof.
About Rapha Foundation
The Rapha Foundation was established in 2019 by Rapha founder and CEO Simon Mottram, and shareholders Steuart Walton and Tom Walton to provide direct funding to organisations that introduce cycling to underserved populations. As part of this effort, the Rapha Foundation strives to take aspiring racers on a journey from their local park to podiums at the top of the sport on a global scale. For more information on how to apply, please visit www.rapha.com/foundation. The Rapha Foundation is a donor advised fund. All grants are subject to US rules and regulations for charitable donations (which apply to both domestic and international organisations).