The Foundation was set up in memory of Wincobank’s legendary boxing trainer and addresses the needs of those who are socially excluded and at risk of becoming socially marginalised.
Brendan’s legacy lives on thanks to the trailblazing work of his daughter Bridget, who kept Sheffield moving throughout the pandemic as the Foundation’s Walk Fit to Fight Covid project engaged with more than 100 men and women.
Bridget, aged 54, of Barlborough, says the cash made all the difference. “We’ve constantly adapted and kept people moving – and the particular group of women we’ve worked with have got support.
“The Sport England grant’s been really important in tackling a group of people who wouldn’t have been exercising, and who were socially isolated.
“Everything was done on a voluntary basis – this grant allowed us to pay some of the run leaders who already put a lot of voluntary hours in, and to support the walking group for the extra sessions.
“There’s only so much you can expect people to do on a voluntary basis, and we’ve kept everybody motivated and moving since the beginning of the lockdown.
“Without the grant from Yorkshire Sport – funded by Sport England – we wouldn’t have been able to do that work.”
Bridget has a PhD in metabolic bone research and is determined to champion the importance of physical exercise throughout Sheffield.
The Brendan Ingle Foundation’s efforts are bolstered by National Lottery funding and Bridget knows it wouldn’t be possible without players around the country.
She added: “I think it’s fantastic the National Lottery supports community-based projects.
“Without that funding, they just wouldn’t happen. I’m grateful to everybody who purchases National Lottery tickets, because we all benefit from the funding, whether it’s in sport or beyond.”
As the first anniversary of lockdown approaches, figures show that more than £1.2 billion of good causes funding has been awarded by The National Lottery in the UK during the last year, providing a much-needed boost for the arts, heritage, sport and community groups.
To find out more about how The National Lottery supports good causes throughout the UK, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk