Girls on Hills was established in 2018 to improve women's access to trail/mountain running and hill walking in the UK. We challenge the barriers many women face and advocate for equity, as a means of improving female participation in our sport. We do this because there is a gender gap in trail/mountain running that does not exist in road running. Why is this important?
The health and well-being benefits of exercising in groups, in nature and in open spaces are well-documented. Mountain recreation is also a great way to build self-confidence, self-reliance and empowerment that can translate to other areas of our lives. By exploring new places and pushing-back the boundaries of our comfort zones, we can learn much about ourselves and the value of risk in an increasingly safety conscious society. These are benefits that all women should be able to access.

THE ACCESS FUND
Despite its apparent simplicity, recreation in the mountains can be expensive. This might be due to travel, equipment or the cost of skills courses and races (not to mention child-care/caring support). Compared to the majority of women, some groups face additional barriers and are poorly represented across our sport. The Access Fund from Girls on Hills is a not-for-profit fund that will cover the cost of courses for women who find it hard to access the trails/mountains and who wish to participate. These barriers might include (and are not limited to):
- Financial difficulties
- Mental health
- Disability
- Lack of representation (minority ethnic group, colour or faith)
- Sexual or gender minority
- Victims of abuse
- Sole parenting/caring responsibilities
- Social isolation
Girls on Hills aims to create a fund to support these women and facilitate their entry and development in our sport, enabling them to experience the many benefits that the rest of us sometimes take for granted.
If you love trail running or find joy in the mountains, help us pay it forward and support the women who will benefit most...

HOW WILL IT WORK?
Through Crowdfunder UK, we will fund-raise to support the Access Fund. It will be an ongoing project that has no closing-date or fixed target - the more we raise, the more women we will be able to support! The fund will be a not-for-profit venture with funds exclusively used to cover places on Girls on Hills group courses or bespoke events/projects for women in the above categories.
Girls on Hills will invite applications to the Access Fund according to the above criteria (fund will open 01/01/240. Applications will be by email (no complicated application form) and should outline eligibility as far as is reasonable but applicants will not be asked to 'justify' their need or evidence their position. The fund will be awarded in 'good faith' as far as funds allow.
You can help us spread the word by letting friends and family know about the financial support we are offering by sharing this link: Apply to the Access Fund.
You can follow our fundraising progress here and on social media (Facebook/Instagram) or by joining our newsletter (visit www.girlsonhills.com and scroll down). Find out more about our advocacy services here.
Next time you're doing a sponsored run, race or challenge, why not consider further supporting our cause by fundraising on our behalf and donating your sponsorship money!

Apply to the Access Fund [the fund will open 01/01/24]