The Active Travel Consortium, of which CTC is a partner, received a £19.9 million award from the BIG Lottery's Wellbeing Fund in July 2007. Wellbeing aims to increase physical activity, improve mental health and get people eating more healthily. CTC received nearly £5 million over 4 years to employ project officers in 13 locations under the title "Cycling Champions". Each of these officers will support and run local cycling projects promoting cycling in cooperation with other voluntary sector organisations, local authorities and the health sector.

The Big Lottery Fund, the largest of the National Lottery good cause distributors, has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.  

The Consortium is lead by Sustrans and includes British Cycling, CTC, Cycling England, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, the National Heart Forum, the National Obesity Forum, the Ramblers’ Association, Transport 2000 and Walk 21. It is delivering a portfolio of projects that will enable 2 million people to become more physically active by walking or cycling as part of their daily lives.  

Details of the announcement of the winning consortia in the BIG Lottery Wellbeing Programme can be found via the link below.

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/pr_180707_uk_wb_national_fitness_regeneration?regioncode=-uk

Follow the links below to find out more about the specific information relating to each location and how you could introduce a Cycling Champions initiative in your town or city!