Celebrating Our Runners

In September, our committed  team of staff members, volunteers and friends came together at the Bedford Running Festival, to raise funds to help fund our English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes.

A massive thank you to our dedicated runners: Alicja, Joe, Lloyd, Tetiana, Nigel, Mags, Beata, Robert, David, Michal, Sandra, and Dan! Each of you brought energy and enthusiasm to the race, and thanks to your determination, we raised an incredible £3,822.01 for PBIC’s ESOL classes. We also want to thank the individual donors that supported their fundraisers!

This money raised will enable us to deliver two 12-week pre-entry courses starting in January 2025.

Additionally, Bedford Borough Council took notice of our fundraising initiative and have provided us with support for additional ESOL classes for Ukrainian Guests living in the Borough which are now being delivered!

Why ESOL Matters

Lacking English skills while living in the UK can be a huge barrier to overcoming day-to-day issues – with language being a powerful tool for connection and independence.  ESOL courses are incredibly important because they empower individuals from the ground up. For example, a migrant who gains even a basic level of English can manage tasks like calling a GP —something that could be very difficult without skills developed during a course.

Many migrants are eager to learn English, yet free ESOL classes in the community are often limited due to funding constraints. This is why initiatives like this fundraiser are so impactful. They directly help provide these vital classes to those who need them most

Looking Ahead

We’re inspired by the generosity and community spirit that powered this fundraising effort, and we’re excited to continue working on delivering ESOL that is accessible to all. Thank you again to our runners, donors, and supporters!