Hundreds of leisure centres, swimming pools, and gyms across the United Kingdom are confronting a severe risk of permanent closure. The very facilities that keep local communities active and healthy are buckling under intense financial strain, threatening the backbone of British grassroots sport.
Community Power: The #DoYourBit Response
In direct response to this growing crisis, a powerful new initiative called #DoYourBit has been launched. Spearheaded by the organisation Bee Ethical, the campaign is mobilising communities to take direct action and safeguard their local sports infrastructure from the ground up. The movement aims to show that people don't have to wait for government intervention to make a tangible difference.
The campaign found its first major success story in the town of Oundle, where Oundle Town FC piloted a community lottery. Supporters were encouraged to sign up, share the initiative, and recruit others, with each action framed as 'doing their bit' to protect the club they love. The results were staggering. Within just eight days of launch, the lottery had achieved over 23% of its target of 463 regular supporters. Furthermore, the club secured a £2,000 bonus win to put towards its new clubhouse, creating a sustainable income stream for its players and the wider Oundle community.
A National Crisis and a Sustainable Solution
The urgency behind #DoYourBit is underscored by national concerns. On August 2, 2025, major sector leaders, including ukactive and the Local Government Association, publicly urged the government to ensure its £400 million grassroots sports pledge actually reaches the local gyms and swimming pools people rely on.
"Public funding is vital, but it won't solve the crisis alone," stated Aaron Mildren, founder of Bee Ethical. "BeeSMART lotteries give every supporter the power to make a real, lasting difference. #DoYourBit is about uniting communities to protect the clubs and facilities they love, one ticket at a time."
This community-led approach is powered by the BeeSMART platform, a supporter-led lottery system designed specifically for grassroots clubs and charities. The model is simple: for £10 per month, the platform handles all compliance, payments, and supporter care, freeing clubs from administrative burdens and guaranteeing that all proceeds go directly back into local facilities.
Proven Success and Future Growth
The proof of this model's effectiveness is already evident across the country. Following Oundle FC's pilot, Oundle Rugby Club is set to launch its own lottery, demonstrating the replicable nature of this lifeline for local sport.
Nationwide, the impact is growing. More than 200 sports clubs have already joined BeeSMART, generating over £83,700 in just five months to be reinvested directly into their communities. Long-term success stories, like Ramsey Cricket Club, which has raised over £200,000 through a Bee Ethical lottery started in 2015, show how even small clubs can achieve long-term financial stability.
With more than £52 million raised for good causes to date and over 430 charitable organisations supported, Bee Ethical continues to champion a powerful, sustainable alternative to traditional funding, proving that when communities come together, they can secure the future of the facilities they cherish.
