Governing Body Appeals to #FundFencing

Today, British Fencing launched a crowd funding appeal, #FundFencing, to raise money to support its International Programme for the remainder of the season.

All money raised will be used to support our senior squad of GB athletes in training for and competing at the 2017 European Championships and World Championships.

UK Sport recently took the decision to cut funding to British Fencing’s World Class Programme.  As a result the current programme will end on 1 April this year, prior to the two major Championships held in May and July. British Fencing has therefore decided to focus its efforts on ensuring that the athletes can complete the season and represent Great Britain to the very best of their abilities at these events.

Speaking about the campaign, British Fencing’s Chief Executive, Georgina Usher said, “Given the disappointing news that UK Sport have cut our funding, we must now put in place a realistic plan to support our athletes for the rest of this season. For this we will need to raise funds to meet the training and competition costs of the athletes. I appeal to everyone in the sport, whether they are participants, volunteers and supporters, and also to everyone who was inspired by our team’s amazing Olympic performance in Rio to pledge what they can.”

British Fencing’s Chair added, “We are grateful for the support that UK Sport and The Lottery have given us over the years, transforming our programme and delivering such incredible progress.  That support has ended now but we owe it to our current and future international athletes to fight on.  #FundFencing is just the start and we hope to raise enough money to continue to support our international squad for the rest of the season.”

To support the campaign please visit, www.crowdfunder.co.uk/fundfencing.

British Fencing has also launched a new section on their website called the “Supporters Club” which includes links to the #FundFencing crowd funding campaign, British Fencing’s charity page plus instructions for people who would like to campaign for the reinstatement of UK Sport funding.

Usher concluded, “The campaign opened this morning and I’m grateful to those that have pledged money already.  Please continue to support us and please do share the campaign with your family, friends and colleagues.” 

For more details of how to get involved with the launch please contact [email protected].