A FREE, festival featuring food, a fun run and more is being thrown by two young business owners from Basingstoke, to raise money for charity.

Entrepreneurs Tyler Bradley and George Metzger, both 22, were born and raised in Basingstoke and will be holding a charity 'Colour Run' event at the end of July.

In 2022, the pair decided to start their own business venture, a sports coaching company called GT Sports Academy, focusing on the teaching of all sports, and specialising in cricket.

The business partners run after-school clubs, PE lessons, and coach at various cricket clubs and holiday camps throughout the year.

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22-year-olds Tyler Bradley and George Metzger set up GT Sports Academy22-year-olds Tyler Bradley and George Metzger set up GT Sports Academy (Image: GT Sports Academy)

Following success with Overton Cricket Club and Royal Ascot Cricket Club, this year, the duo are working alongside Hampshire County Cricket Board.

Tyler said: "Being young, it is easy to be criticised with what we are doing and people being very negative about two young entrepreneurs, but we didn't let that dishearten us and continued growing as a company.

"We have up to 15 staff currently working for us and we are only growing bigger and bigger by the day.

"As a company and individuals, we have great ambition and some big future plans, but also with all this, we want to give back to the communities and the people who really need it most."

Inspired to give something back to the community, and provide help for vulnerable individuals, Tyler and George are hosting a free-to-attend 'Colour Run' event at Overton Cricket Club.

Tyler said: "This year we are running our first large-scale public event at Overton Cricket Club.

"We are hosting a Colour Run Event, with much much more."

The colour run, a charity fun run featuring explosions of colour, splashing participants as they make their way through the trail, will take place on Friday, July 26 at Overton Cricket Club.

As well as this, there will be a barbecue, pizza van, gelato, raffle and auction with prizes, challenges and much more.

Tyler said: "We are raising money for Little Lives UK who are a children's charity that help disadvantaged children whether that is mentally and physically, or by donating electronics and clothing.

"It's a really good cause which goes amazingly with our mission as a company."

Readers who wish to find out more about the event can visit gtsportsacademy.co.uk.

To find out more about Little Lives UK, visit littlelives.org.uk