SCUBAHUB
London No . 1 divers , pre-distancing rules
Crowdfunding savvy boosts London branch
BSAC ’ S OLDEST BRANCH , LONDON NO . 1 , has been given a much-needed funding boost thanks to Sport England ’ s Active Together crowdfunding scheme .
Following a tough 2020 , which saw the club ’ s RIBs and compressor require major work , as well as a reduction in income as the country underwent lockdown , London No . 1 needed to raise funds to counter what they called their ‘ triple challenge ’.
Having tried Sport England ’ s Small Grants Scheme , only to discover the fund had been suspended , the club decided to form a dedicated team to explore new fundraising ideas .
The team discovered the Active Together Scheme , which included match funding via Crowdfunder for the money the club could raise . With a target of £ 20,000 , London No . 1 has since raised £ 20,805 in just five weeks since their Active Together fundraising website went live in March .
London No . 1 ’ s Andrew Woods said that while it took some effort to create and set up the website , it has resulted in more than £ 12,000 raised in pledges from 196 donors , and £ 8,000 in Sport England match funding .
The funds raised via the scheme now mean that London No . 1 can get their RIBs and compressor repaired . They will resume club training and dive trips when lockdown allows and make the most of the 2021 dive season .
“ This is all due to real teamwork , not just from the fundraising team , but from all the club members who have shown wonderful support ,” said Andrew .
The Return to Play : Active Together Scheme is a £ 2.5m fund , which offers clubs and organisations up to £ 10,000 in match funding , for campaigns relating to Covid-19 , including loss of income due to the pandemic .
For other BSAC clubs considering the Sport England scheme as a way to raise muchneeded funds , Andrew said the time and effort was more than worth it . He went on to offer some final advice .
“ Involve all your members as well as the local community as much as possible , keep the message simple and create a short but effective video explaining why the funds are needed .”
BSAC AGM reminder
SATURDAY 22 MAY WILL SEE THE 67TH BSAC AGM RETURN to a digital platform following the success of last year ’ s event , which was delivered virtually due to the pandemic .
This year ’ s AGM will be held fully online and all members have been invited to attend . Starting at 10.00 on the 22 May , the AGM will also see the successful 2021 Election candidates take up their BSAC Council positions .
Members can still register to attend the online AGM – registrations should be received by 20 May . For more information and to register your place check your BSAC Election voting email or email
election @ bsac . com
Nitrox webinar open to all
ONE OF THE LATEST ‘ MUST-WATCH ’ WEBINARS TO BE ADDED TO the BSAC website will explore the effects of Nitrox on a diver ’ s body .
Led by Professor Philip James , from the University of Dundee , the ‘ Physiological Effects of Nitrox on Divers ’ will be live on 14 June and is open to all members for free . This special interest webinar will cover the effects this gas – and its oxygen content - has at pressure , and how pressurised O2 is used in the treatment of DCI .
The webinar is part of BSAC ’ s programme of online events designed to support members during lockdown and beyond .
To book on to Physiological Effects of Nitrox on Divers or to view all the webinars listed for June , go to
bsac . com / webinars
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