Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Peter's page

Peter Curtis

Peter Curtis

My Story

Support My London Marathon Journey for the Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Hi there! I’m taking on the incredible challenge of running the 2025 London Marathon, and I’m doing it to raise vital funds for the Gloucestershire Community Foundation. This amazing organization supports local charities and initiatives that make a real difference in our community, helping those who need it most.

Every donation, big or small, will go directly to support local causes that create lasting change. Your generosity will help improve lives, support vulnerable groups, and make Gloucestershire a stronger place for everyone.

I’d be so grateful for your support as I push myself to reach the finish line – and together, we can make a powerful impact. Thank you for being part of this journey!

About my journey

Never been a runner, well never thought myself as a runner. I am now !!!

2 years ago I was three stone heavier and couldn't run up the stairs without getting out of breath. So I started couch to 5k. That grew to 10k, that grew to half marathons and now here we are 3 stone lighter and getting ready to run 26.2 miles.

I really am making the impossible dream possible.

I've worked in the Gloucestershire area for over 20 years and see so much incredible work in helping people who are struggling but they need help. I have chosen to run for Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF) is here to serve the community. GCF was established in 1989 to build a permanent and sustainable endowment, a community asset which will continue to support our communities in Gloucestershire for life. They also raise funds through important campaigns such as there year round Poverty Hurts appeal and deliver funds on behalf of individuals, companies and organisations, receiving donations that go straight to the charities they serve. Currently they manage 50 different funds and in the last five years have provided more than £3.5 million in grant funding via more than 1,000 grants to 450 different community groups in Gloucestershire. Most of the grants are relatively small but target grassroots community and volunteer-led organisations where grants stretch a long way and can make a big difference. 

 

Some examples include:

 

  • £5,000 towards the running costs of a day centre to provide warmth, shelter and a safe bed for homeless people in Gloucester
  • £2,500 towards art therapy for children across Gloucestershire suffering anxiety as a result of living with serious heart conditions
  • £3,500 towards the running costs of a social and creative activity group for young people with visual impairments
  • £1,000 towards a cultural community fayre bringing together people form a variety of different cultural backgrounds to share food and get to know each other
  • £1,000 towards play equipment for children in areas with few facilities  to enable them to play, build skills and strengthen communities, improving mental and social wellbeing
  • £1,900 towards a youth club in a remote part of the Forest of Dean
  • £2,500 towards a pan-disability football club based in Churchdown
  • £2,000 towards equine therapy sessions for young people suffering with severe mental health conditions
  • £2,000 towards the cost of buying food for food parcels at Cheltenham Foodbank
  • £2,500 towards a Hardship Fund to support individuals in poverty crisis, providing urgent aid to meet critical needs for people living in poverty in the Cirencester area
  • £2,000 to fund housing advice to vulnerable people in Cheltenham
  • £1,000 towards a shed for a community allotment in Gloucester for people with health conditions and disabilities
  • £2,500 to run regular drop in advice sessions in Stroud plus remote support, for people on low incomes who are struggling with the cost of living crisis
  • £500 to a volunteer reading programme helping children learn to read
  • £1,500 towards a support space for families impacted by cancer
  • £5,000 toward the cost of home visits for vulnerable families

There is still so much need in Gloucestershire so in order to grow our community assets they need help.

These are a summary of the different grants programmes we currently manage:

 

  • Main Grants Programme - benefits people who are disadvantaged or isolated due to poverty, disability, age, location or culture.
  • High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Grant - aims to encourage young people at risk to be involved in challenging activities that may deter them from crime and anti-social behaviour by raising confidence and self-esteem, and providing learning and development opportunities
  • Freemasons Grant Programme - supports initiatives for older people, those with disabilities and young people facing disadvantage
  • Poverty Hurts – supports organisations helping the most vulnerable people living in Gloucestershire who are living in poverty and struggling on low incomes
  • Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund - a rolling grants programme to support community initiatives in Cheltenham and the area surrounding the Cheltenham Racecourse
  • Gloucestershire Youth Neurodiversity Project - a pilot project to deliver a programme of support and training to neurodiverse young people in Gloucestershire

 

 

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

 

WE ARE SEEING VERY HIGH LEVELS OF DEMAND FOR FUNDING AND URGENTLY NEED DONATIONS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE LIVING IN POVERTY 

 

A company limited by guarantee.  Registered in England & Wales Company Number:2420411 Registered Charity Number: 900239

 

About us

The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.

Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.

What’s more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the event’s history – living up to its aim of helping participants ‘to have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world’.

Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Raising for:

Gloucestershire Community Foundation
120%

Funded

  • Target
    £750
  • Raised so far
    £900
  • Number of donors
    54

My Story

Support My London Marathon Journey for the Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Hi there! I’m taking on the incredible challenge of running the 2025 London Marathon, and I’m doing it to raise vital funds for the Gloucestershire Community Foundation. This amazing organization supports local charities and initiatives that make a real difference in our community, helping those who need it most.

Every donation, big or small, will go directly to support local causes that create lasting change. Your generosity will help improve lives, support vulnerable groups, and make Gloucestershire a stronger place for everyone.

I’d be so grateful for your support as I push myself to reach the finish line – and together, we can make a powerful impact. Thank you for being part of this journey!

About my journey

Never been a runner, well never thought myself as a runner. I am now !!!

2 years ago I was three stone heavier and couldn't run up the stairs without getting out of breath. So I started couch to 5k. That grew to 10k, that grew to half marathons and now here we are 3 stone lighter and getting ready to run 26.2 miles.

I really am making the impossible dream possible.

I've worked in the Gloucestershire area for over 20 years and see so much incredible work in helping people who are struggling but they need help. I have chosen to run for Gloucestershire Community Foundation

Gloucestershire Community Foundation (GCF) is here to serve the community. GCF was established in 1989 to build a permanent and sustainable endowment, a community asset which will continue to support our communities in Gloucestershire for life. They also raise funds through important campaigns such as there year round Poverty Hurts appeal and deliver funds on behalf of individuals, companies and organisations, receiving donations that go straight to the charities they serve. Currently they manage 50 different funds and in the last five years have provided more than £3.5 million in grant funding via more than 1,000 grants to 450 different community groups in Gloucestershire. Most of the grants are relatively small but target grassroots community and volunteer-led organisations where grants stretch a long way and can make a big difference. 

 

Some examples include:

 

  • £5,000 towards the running costs of a day centre to provide warmth, shelter and a safe bed for homeless people in Gloucester
  • £2,500 towards art therapy for children across Gloucestershire suffering anxiety as a result of living with serious heart conditions
  • £3,500 towards the running costs of a social and creative activity group for young people with visual impairments
  • £1,000 towards a cultural community fayre bringing together people form a variety of different cultural backgrounds to share food and get to know each other
  • £1,000 towards play equipment for children in areas with few facilities  to enable them to play, build skills and strengthen communities, improving mental and social wellbeing
  • £1,900 towards a youth club in a remote part of the Forest of Dean
  • £2,500 towards a pan-disability football club based in Churchdown
  • £2,000 towards equine therapy sessions for young people suffering with severe mental health conditions
  • £2,000 towards the cost of buying food for food parcels at Cheltenham Foodbank
  • £2,500 towards a Hardship Fund to support individuals in poverty crisis, providing urgent aid to meet critical needs for people living in poverty in the Cirencester area
  • £2,000 to fund housing advice to vulnerable people in Cheltenham
  • £1,000 towards a shed for a community allotment in Gloucester for people with health conditions and disabilities
  • £2,500 to run regular drop in advice sessions in Stroud plus remote support, for people on low incomes who are struggling with the cost of living crisis
  • £500 to a volunteer reading programme helping children learn to read
  • £1,500 towards a support space for families impacted by cancer
  • £5,000 toward the cost of home visits for vulnerable families

There is still so much need in Gloucestershire so in order to grow our community assets they need help.

These are a summary of the different grants programmes we currently manage:

 

  • Main Grants Programme - benefits people who are disadvantaged or isolated due to poverty, disability, age, location or culture.
  • High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Grant - aims to encourage young people at risk to be involved in challenging activities that may deter them from crime and anti-social behaviour by raising confidence and self-esteem, and providing learning and development opportunities
  • Freemasons Grant Programme - supports initiatives for older people, those with disabilities and young people facing disadvantage
  • Poverty Hurts – supports organisations helping the most vulnerable people living in Gloucestershire who are living in poverty and struggling on low incomes
  • Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund - a rolling grants programme to support community initiatives in Cheltenham and the area surrounding the Cheltenham Racecourse
  • Gloucestershire Youth Neurodiversity Project - a pilot project to deliver a programme of support and training to neurodiverse young people in Gloucestershire

 

 

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

 

WE ARE SEEING VERY HIGH LEVELS OF DEMAND FOR FUNDING AND URGENTLY NEED DONATIONS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE LIVING IN POVERTY 

 

A company limited by guarantee.  Registered in England & Wales Company Number:2420411 Registered Charity Number: 900239

 

About us

The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: a celebration of fun, fundraising and fancy dress.

Over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.

What’s more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the event’s history – living up to its aim of helping participants ‘to have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world’.