![Reading Festival has laid out its Look Out For The Planet pledge ahead of its return next week, bringing measures set to promote sustainability. Picture: Luke Dyson [LukeDyson.com]](https://wokingham.today/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Img1871502-360x180.jpg)
A Reading-based mental health charity has won £4,000 worth of funding to help grow their business thanks to Sage, official Accounting Software Partner of cricket’s The Hundred.
This award comes after Sport in Mind owner Neil Harris entered the Sage Small Business XI competition, launched by England cricket legends Stuart Broad and Nat Sciver-Brunt earlier this summer, to celebrate small business owners across the country.
In winning, Sport in Mind joins ten other businesses who have formed the Sage Small Business XI and have won a share of £50,000 in grants and other experiences linked to The Hundred.
Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs), launched the competition as part of its partnership with The Hundred, receiving thousands of entries from small businesses sharing their stories, vision, and future ambitions
Sport in Mind is a leading mental health sports charity in England and Wales, harnessing the power of sport to inspire, educate and promote mental wellbeing. Its long-term partnership with the NHS has helped transform the lives of over 31,000 people across the UK.
Sport in Mind has big ambitions to grow nationally and is aiming to have an initiative set up in every area of the UK by 2030, therefore, the £4,000 will support them with the growth of their service.
Neil Harris, Founder of Sport in Mind said: “We’re honoured to be part of Sage’s Small Business XI. With mental health challenges rising and NHS services under pressure, our mission to support people through sport has never been more vital — and this grant helps us keep delivering that support.”
In addition to supporting the growth of Sport in Mind, Neil, alongside ten other national winners, will see their businesses promoted on the pitch side advertising boards at one game in The Hundred, and also gain access to Sage’s innovative technology, insights, and expertise, helping alleviate the pressures they face as small business owners.
Sally Moore, Senior Director of Global Sponsorship at Sage added: “We are delighted to announce Sport in Mind as one of our eleven winners in this year’s Sage Small Business XI. At Sage we’re always looking for ways to champion small businesses and how important they are within their local communities. We’re driven by their passion so we’re thrilled to showcase the outstanding work that Sport in Mind does.”
Stuart Broad, Sage ambassador added: “It’s wonderful to be a part of the Sage Small Business XI again this year alongside the England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. The determination and resilience these founders demonstrate to make their small businesses successful is incredible. As a small business owner myself, I find hearing the winners’ stories and learning from their experiences incredibly valuable, so I’m really looking forward to meeting them at The Hundred Final in August.”
Small businesses also have another chance to win with Sage this summer. Visit www.sage.com/behindthebadge to either nominate a small business or to enter your own small business for the chance to win marketing promotion with an EFL football club, plus chances to win tickets to an EFL regular season game.
