A SPORTS bursary has been established in memory of Ron Stonehouse, the Farnham athlete and respected coach who died last April at the age of 89.

Thanks to the many generous donations made in memory of Ron, with additional support from Alton Sports, this memorial bursary has been announced by Ron’s widow, Shirley, and Aldershot, Farnham & District Athletic Club.

Running initially for five years, the bursary will be awarded annually by the club to the under-17 athlete judged most deserving in terms of effort, achievement and need – or any combination of these three criteria.

The selection will be made jointly by the club chairman, president and an independent trustee who will assess nominations submitted from within the club membership.

The £350 Alton Sports voucher, plus a commemorative certificate, will be presented at the club’s annual awards ceremony.

It is hoped that this bursary can be extended beyond the five-year term and any ongoing donations or bequests would be welcomed to help facilitate this. These can be made at any time using the bank details: AFD AC  Sort Code 40-35-45 Account Number 31591967 (adding the payment reference ‘Ron’) or by contacting the club via email ([email protected]).

More details and updates will appear on the AFD website.

As well as being a top-class athlete himself – he recorded 1-54.2 for the 880 yards at White City in 1954 and 9-16.06 for the 3000m steeplechase at the same venue in 1955 and 4-11.0 for the mile – Ron Stonehouse coached AFD’s double Olympian Bernie Ford, triple Olympians Chris Boxer and Roger Hackney, Commonwealth Games 3000m runner Ruth Smeeth and many other athletes.