SHIFT become first to join Blues Foundation’s Starting XV

Blues Foundation are delighted to announce that SHIFT Personal Training Club, headed up by former Bedford Blues legend Sacha Harding, have become one of the first members of the charity’s Starting XV initiative. 

A new initiative designed to bring Blues Foundation closer to businesses and individuals in and around Bedfordshire, Starting XV will allow local businesses to support our charity across our three year charity period. 

As part of this initial 12-month partnership, SHIFT will support the Foundation through fund raising for the charity and programme support. This will include entering the Twilight 10k at September’s Bedford Running Festival to raise vital funds for the charity, offering his unique skillset to help on Blues Foundation projects as available, and the implementation of fundraising events to further support work in the local community. 

SHIFT Personal Training Club is Bedford’s newest fitness brand, opened in May 2021 on Brickhill Drive as a pioneering customer focused organisation. 

A premium personal training gym dedicated to helping people find fun, enjoyment and progress with their health & fitness; the ethos of SHIFT is in perfect symmetry to that of Blues Foundation, who continue to have an impact on as many young people in the local community as possible, focusing specifically on improving physical and mental health. 

To learn more about SHIFT, click here to check out their website. Alternatively, you can interact on their Facebook page here

Harding, who made 200 competitive appearances for Bedford Blues across a 13-year stint at Goldington Road, twinned his rugby career with his studies into personal training and nutritional coaching. 

Discussing the new partnership with Blues Foundation, Harding said: “After attending the Blue foundation golf day and learning more about the great work Tom and the other members of the foundation are doing, I felt I had to get involved. Part of our business plan here at SHIFT is to support the local community and inspire the next generation to prioritise their health and fitness.

It's vital I use my position as a former player and now local business owner to support the charity and raise awareness for the important work they are doing. I couldn’t think of a better charity to aligning with SHIFT ”

Honoured with a testimonial season in 2010/11, before retirement three years later, Harding is one of the most renowned names within Bedford both from his playing days and his subsequent transition into a dedicated, innovative and outstanding coach who has a proven track record in delivering life changing results to clients. 

Commenting on this first partnership, Blues Foundation Manager, Tom Harwood said: “We are incredibly lucky to work with SHIFT and Sacha has a clear passion to help local people. We are so grateful for their support and looking forward to growing the partnership.”

Keep checking our website and all our social media channels to hear first about our other founder members of Starting XV; or sign up to our newsletter by clicking here for regular updates. 

You can find Blues Foundation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can contact info@bluesfoundation.org.uk with any specific questions you may have.

Tom Harwood