Former Bristol Bears hooker and team manager Nick Fenton-Wells has been announced as the latest ambassador for the Bristol Bears Community Foundation.
The 38-year-old spent three seasons at Bears before being appointed as team manager for the 2019/20 campaign after retiring following an eight-year professional career.
During his spell with the club, Fenton-Wells was honoured for his extraordinary off-field contribution when he was named Gallagher Community Player of the Season in 2019.
Fenton-Wells has now become the Foundation’s second ambassador, following in the footsteps of Ellis Genge. As a current Trustee of the Foundation, Fenton-Wells’ role will support the advocacy and profile of the charity’s work in the community.
“I’m very proud to become an ambassador for the Bristol Bears Community Foundation,” said Fenton-Wells. “It’s a huge honour to be able to support the work of the Foundation and do everything we can to get this brilliant charity out to the public.
“When Pat Lam came in, he set a very clear vision with Steve Lansdown to inspire our community through rugby success and it’s just a brilliant marriage between the Community Foundation and Bristol Bears and what we’re trying to achieve.
“I want to get people understanding how incredible the work is that we do across the Bristol community. It’s one thing seeing it advertised but when you get to see and feel the difference these programmes are making that’s when it really sinks in how much of an impact the Community Foundation are having throughout the city of Bristol.”
Fenton-Wells was speaking at a Foundation session at Claremont School where he helped deliver a Spectrum Sports session to a group of children with complex needs.
Spectrum Sports is a tailored programme of PE & Sport delivery, resourcing, and staff development specifically for the Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) sector.
“I’ve been completely blown away by today’s session and just how much it’s inspired me to get involved in the work that the Foundation do,” Fenton-Wells added.
“My goal is to get more people to understand through interactions as opposed to them just saying they sponsor the Community Foundation or do this for the Foundation. I prefer to see people come in and see the real difference that the charity is making.”
Fenton-Wells is also set to run the Paris Marathon to raise funds for the Foundation alongside CEO Jamie Skinner as part of the Bristol Sport Group community foundation’s Event Series. You can support their efforts in the Paris Marathon by donating here.
Jamie Skinner, Bristol Bears Community Foundation CEO, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Nick Fenton-Wells as our latest ambassador for the Foundation. Nick has been an integral part of the Bristol Bears family for many years, both on and off the pitch, and his passion for community engagement is truly inspiring.
“His commitment to making a difference aligns perfectly with our mission, and we know that his leadership and enthusiasm will help us continue to grow and positively impact lives across Bristol. We look forward to working with him to further our outreach and bring even more opportunities to those who need them most.”
