GLL Sport Foundation announces 20 awards in Lincolnshire
Big backing for county sportsmen and women from GSF
Charitable social enterprise and worker-owned co-op GLL has announced 20 athletes from Lincolnshire will benefit from the 2026 intake of its GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) – the largest independent athlete award programme in the UK.
Now in its 18th year, the GLL Sport Foundation has so far contributed nearly £20m worth of athlete funding and support and distributed nearly 35,000 awards to young and talented athletes in 69 areas of the UK where GLL operate and across 121 different sports.
Among the local athletes benefitting are Charlie Johnson (13), a cross country and track athlete specialising in the 800m and 1500m; Camilla Burton (33), a powerlifter; and Jack Bell (23), a motorsport dirt bike racer.
With 86 per cent of this year's cohort receiving no other form of funding - up 3 per cent from 2025 - it outlines the significant contribution the athlete programme makes against the challenge of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Over 18 years, the GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) has continued to be at the forefront of developing local young athletic talent with 63 per cent of athletes under the age of 21.
GLL’s own research shows that many talented athletes struggle to realise their dreams of sporting glory due to rising costs of equipment, training, physiotherapy, travel and nutrition.
For them, a GSF Award can be the lifeline to staying in training and meeting their potential. At the Lincolnshire GSF Awards 2026 Launch Event, held recently at Lincoln Library, 10 athletes and dignitaries, including members of North Kesteven District Council and councillors from the City of Lincoln, gathered to hear how this year's £13,560 GSF athlete award fund will support talented athletes on their sporting journeys.
Among them was Jack Bell who said: “I competed in the British and World Championships in 2025 and 2026, but the costs involved in racing and development are significant.
“I’m really grateful and proud to be supported by the GLL Sport Foundation.
“The support helps towards my racing funds and allows me to train across the UK and access opportunities and benefits I simply couldn’t afford.
“My training and preparation for the 2026 World Championship has already increased and I’m feeling confident and excited about what’s ahead.”
The GSF supports athletes through financial bursaries, access to physical rehabilitation and mental wellbeing support and all athletes are also given access to over 250 sport and leisure facilities across the UK operated by GLL under its "BETTER" brand.
In all, 37% per cent of GSF 2026's cohort are new applicants - showing the successful growth and reach of the scheme across communities in Northern Ireland, Wales and England. GSF Patron Sally Gunnell OBE said: “It's fantastic to see the GLL Sport Foundation announcing its largest ever award cohort in 2026.
"The support continues to make a difference to young athletes at precisely the point in their careers when they most need it - keeping them training and focused on success.
"I wish them the very best of luck in their sporting careers." GSF Chair and GLL CEO Peter Bundey said: “GLL is a successful worker-owned cooperative and charitable social enterprise that has brought growing impact to public services and local communities over 33 years of successful operation.
“Our GLL Sport Foundation remains central to our remit to widen and deepen opportunities available to talented young athletes and build a legacy through sport. “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and our own purposed business model we are delighted to announce a record 3234 athletes will benefit from the programme this year.
"I want to wish them every success, and we look forward to seeing them in competition here and abroad in years to come."
The GLL Sport Foundation's Patron is Sally Gunnell, OBE and partners involved in the programme include SportsAid, SportsAid Wales, Mary Peters Trust, sponsors from GLL's supply chain and local authority partners.