The William Wates Memorial Trust
Supporting projects that encourage young people experiencing severe disadvantage to keep away from anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, enabling them to fulfil their potential.
What is the WWMT?
The William Wates Memorial Trust exists to celebrate the life of William Wates (1977 – 1996) who was tragically killed when travelling in Central America.
The Trust is a grants giving registered charity set up in 1998 with a mission to help the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence, and fulfil their potential. This is mainly achieved by supporting charities that engage young people through the mediums of sports, arts and education.
Will was aware of his privileged background and was keen to help others – we feel the aims of the trust reflect where his interests would have been if he was alive today.
People Who Benefit
Kid is a young man with a complicated history. He has had issues with police and prison but his willingness to engage in a positive future is inspiring and his wisdom is impressive.
Fundraising
In 2004 Jonny (a brother of Will’s) came up with the brilliant (but crazy) idea of Le Loop, enabling the Trust to raise money beyond generous donations from friends or family. By 2012 the event was open to all and Le Loop is now our primary source of funds, raising between £300,000 and £500,000 a year (gross).
Le Loop offers the opportunity for amateur cyclists to tackle anything from 2 to all 21 stages of the Tour de France each year, fully supported, one week ahead of the pros. Places go on sale from July the year before and the event usually sells out. If you are interested in taking on a life-changing challenge, please visit the Le Loop website.
We have also had some wonderful support from people who have wanted to raise money for us doing their own projects and in those cases, we do whatever we can to assist. Please get in touch if this appeals!
And if you want to donate to a friend’s who is fundraising for WWMT just hit the ‘support a friend’ button below.
A few of our
Previous Fundraising Events
Tour Report 2024
Florence to Nice - 2024 was a tough Tour thanks to route and weather. Heroes, every one of them! And a MASSIVE fundraising year too!
Tour Report 2023
Bilbao Grand Depart, fantastic weather and our biggest fundraising year to date (over £550,000). A vintage year!
Tour Report 2022
After 3 years and 2 missed tours (thanks to you know what), 2022 was our much-longed-for return to normal. But there's not much normal about a Copenhagen Grand Depart!
Tour Report 2019
This will be the Tour that is remembered for just how tough the first half was. Huge amounts of climbing, long (regularly over 200km) days and temperatures that tipped 35 degrees, the opening stages made for a challenging first week…
Tour Report 2018
With a stunning coastal Grand Depart, our first weekend of the Tour had a holiday feel, and temperatures that made that Atlantic look all the more welcoming – but we had some cycling to do!
Stamford Bridge
Taking place on Monday 21st May, this was primarily a memorial for William and also marked 20 years since the William Wates Memorial Trust was formed.
Read Our Annual Reviews
