Robins Trust to Invest in Improved Cycling Facilities

23rd April 2024 — 4 minute read

Plans boosted by award of the 2024 Green Football Weekend grant

Cycling to Cheltenham Town games will be easier than ever thanks to a new investment from the Robins Trust.

And with a £1,000 boost thanks to winning this year's Green Football Weekend grant, the plans for a new permanent, covered cycle shelter are now closer than ever to being achieved.

The Trust is now working with a supplier to complete the work, with the remaining cost of around £5,000 to come from the Trust’s coffers, by way of a share purchase.

The Green Football Weekend supporter prize, sponsored by the Gusto Group, is awarded to the fans who submit the best entry to improve the environmental sustainability of their football club.

Robins Trust board members Jenny Hancock, Jaimie Henderson and Sam Nair led the project on behalf of the board, a task which included the application for the Green Football Weekend grant funding.

Jenny said: “We’re thrilled to have been chosen for this funding after a competitive application process.

“But we were always confident that our plans to increase the provision for cyclists at the Completely-Suzuki stadium were a good match for the funding.

“We have already identified the preferred type of shelter and supplier and we will now work alongside them, and the club, to identify the best site for the shelter.”

The need for improved cycling provision was a clear demand from the Trust’s end-of-season survey which was held alongside the annual player-of-the-year voting last year.

Nearly two thirds (64%) of the more than 300 respondents said the provision for cyclists was either poor, or very poor, highlighting a clear desire for improved facilities.

Half of those surveyed said they would be more likely to consider cycling if the provision was improved - currently there is no fixed and covered provision for cyclists.

Sarah Jacobs, organiser of Green Football added “We’re delighted to be able to see this prize go to such a simple solution.

“This will benefit the cyclists who support Cheltenham Town and encourage more fans to consider riding their bicycle to travel to the ground and make other sustainable choices.

“Some of the most practical ideas will be the most effective in tackling climate change.

“We’re proud Green Football Weekend can impact communities around the country. Huge thanks to the Gusto Group for sponsoring this prize. We’re encouraged by the power of football fans making an impact to improve their lives, the lives of their children, and protect the game we love.”

Green Football Weekend is the world’s largest climate-football campaign, which culminates on one weekend in February with Green Football Weekend itself, mobilises fans, clubs, leagues and partners to take action on climate.

Since its inception in 2005, the Trust has invested more than £300,000 into Cheltenham Town shares, making it the current third-largest shareholder in the club.

Trust membership has grown by more than 30% in the last 12 months since launching a new online membership portal.

Membership starts at just £10 per year, but fans are able to make recurring monthly investments.

The Trust have also recently joined the Cheltenham Lottery, giving supporters the chance to win in three ways.

Not only are there weekly prizes on offer, up to a special one-off jackpot of £25,000, players also have a chance to boost Trust coffers AND support good causes in and around Cheltenham.

For more information visit: https://www.cheltenhamlottery.co.uk/support/robins-trust

To join the Robins Trust, visit www.robinstrust.org/join

The three finalists for the Green Football Weekend Supporter Prize were FCUM Diggers for FC United of Manchester, Green Robins Fan Group for Swindon Town and Robins Trust for Cheltenham Town.

Head to greenfootballweekend.com to learn more about the campaign and how you can support the planet.

About Green Football Weekend

About Gusto Group

Gusto Group is a leading local construction and manufacturing company based in Collingham, Nottinghamshire. With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, Gusto Group specialises in building clean energy homes through its Gusto Homes construction company, and high-quality rotationally moulded products through its Rototek company. Gusto Group are B Corp Certified. https://www.gustogroup.co.uk/