Ron Pickering Memorial Fund grant applications open.

Ron Pickering was many things teacher, coach and broadcaster but above all he stood for the ethics of sport, the aspirations of the young and for the belief that sport could enhance their lives in more ways than the physical. In creating "The Ron Pickering Memorial Fund" it is hoped that a permanent expression of Ron’s ideals can be established.

The England Athletics Hall of Fame awards event held recently raised £1000 for the charity. England Athletics CEO Mike Summers presented the cheque to Ron's widow Jean at the end of the evening. Jean also accepted the England Athletics award on behalf of Ron, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.

There are just 6 weeks left to get your application in for a Ron Pickering Memorial Fund grant. The grants are available for young track and field athletes who are in education and may need financial help towards training or provision of equipment. A staggering 52 of the 67 members of the athletics team at the Beijing Olympics have been helped by the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund at sometime during their careers. Applicants should be aged between 15 and 23 and in education. Athletes' talents should be backed up by one of the following:

A National Schools Championships medal
An U17, U20 or U23 Championships medal
An international representative
In the top six of the appropriate UK ranking lists for event and age group.

Grant forms may be downloaded from the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund website, or a request can be made to have one posted to you. All details are on the website at www.rpmf.org.uk. The closing date is Monday 30 November 2009.