Who are we?
Let’s Run Girls is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering women to improve the health and wellbeing of their local communities in the UK. We are brought together by a shared love of running, but held together by so much more.
Since our first group in Cambridge was born in 2016, we have grown year on year to a wonderful community across 14 different locations in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Hertfordshire. In 2023, we engaged over 800 women in our activities, supported over 150 ladies off the couch and trained up 20 new Run Leaders.
All our group sessions are led by a volunteer Run Leaders and are free for the local community to attend.
Why are we crowdfunding?
Our walking and running group sessions are all free to join and we very much hope they always will be. We don't operate a paid membership or club affiliation as we want there to be as few barriers to taking part as possible. With the funds raised from this Crowdfunder, we hope to be able to:
- Train up new volunteer Run Leaders (to support both new and existing groups)
- Expand the holistic support to our community (including additional workshops and support sessions like we have run earlier this year on topics such as injury prevention, strength training, menopause and more)
If you've benefited from being part of the Let's Run Girls community, you want to help bring Let's Run Girls to your community or you just like what we do, we would really appreciate your support. If you're in a financial position to be able to support us, we would be very grateful of any amount you can contribute to the cause!
The Challenge:
- 39% of women aged 16 and over are not active enough to experience the full health benefits of sport and physical activity—outpacing the 35% of men.
- The Covid-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on women's activity levels, which have struggled to recover fully compared to men's.
- 1 in 4 adults will experience a mental health issue each year—a staggering statistic that highlights the urgent need for action.
- Social isolation is on the rise, exacerbated by the pandemic, leaving more people feeling disconnected and alone.
- Running can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. With support, we can make it easier and more accessible for everyone.
Community Impact:
Our mission at Let's Run Girls is to inspire women to lead healthier, happier and more connected lives. We know the benefits of our groups extend far beyond physical health, here are just a few of the participant testimonials we collected in our most recent annual survey:
- "Being part of Let's Run Girls has alleviated the loneliness I felt since moving locally and helped me feel part of the community"
- "It got me out of my comfort zone and got to know more people and I get out of the house for a run even when I don't feel like it"
- "The group constantly motivates me and has encourage me to push myself further than I would have thought possible"
- "I'm healthier, less lonely and have some new supportive friends"
- "It has made a huge difference to my mental health, it has given me a sense of belonging and it has given me the support and encouragement to believe in myself"
- "I am fitter, more confident in my physical wellbeing"
- "I feel less than my 67 years. I feel supported. I have friends who I enjoy meeting each week. LRG has had such a positive impact on my health, wellbeing, social links and my life"
Can you help us extend our impact to more women across the UK?
How you can play your part
There are some simple ways to help us reach our target and make this project a reality.
1. Make a pledge. Don’t delay if you’re keen to support us because momentum is key to our success and we have some fun (but limited) rewards up for grabs too!
2. Spread the word. Share our project on your social media pages and help encourage others get behind us! The more people we reach, the more support we will get.
3. Offer rewards. Get involved if you are a local business by donating things we can offer to our supporters. We will give you a shout out! You can reach us at [email protected]