press release: GLL
Gold company profile | GLL
PRESS RELEASE
GLL fitness instructor smashes World Record
15 May 2024
Anthony Bryan beat the Guinness world record for someone paralysed down one side in the 2024 London Marathon / GLL
This would be a proud moment for anyone but for Anthony, who suffered a brain tumour and a stroke as a young child which left him with permanent injuries, it’s an almost unbelievable achievement.
Not only did he complete the Marathon, but he beat the Guinness world record for someone paralysed down one side by a full minute, raising £5k for the Stroke Association in the process.
“Doctors told me I would never be able to walk or take part in sport,” Anthony, 34, recalls. “I’ve been on a mission to prove them wrong ever since!
“I hope my story will inspire others – all through your life, you get told what you should and shouldn’t do. I could have listened to the experts and given up but instead, I have turned things around and created a positive life.”
During Covid lockdowns, Anthony broadcast online, Joe Wicks-style keep-fit sessions for disabled people, generating more than 2,000 followers. He now runs exercise classes for older people at the Southbury centre which have proved so popular that there’s a waiting list!
Not content with his recent achievements, he has his sights on breaking another record in The Great Manchester Run at the end of May.
He will be raising money for the Richard Whitehead Foundation which provides ‘guide runners’ to help disabled athletes to take part in sporting events.
Anthony’s own guide runner is Tyler Slade who competes alongside him, tying shoelaces and offering water and encouragement.
Sabrina Forde, GLL’s Community Sport Manager in the region, comments, “We’re all extremely proud of Anthony and the amazing things he’s achieved. He deserves to be celebrated as much as possible!”
More press releases and updates from GLL:
Charitable social enterprise and leisure operator GLL has been appointed to manage two
historic leisure facilities; Wycombe Rye Lido in Buckinghamshire and Newcastle City Baths,
with operations transferring to the organisation on 1 July 2026.
This week (17 June) saw charitable social enterprise GLL bring together invited guests from
across Parliament, local government, national sector bodies, cultural organisations, the
literary community and sports bodies at a celebration to mark the successful first year of
the GLL Literary Foundation.
GLL, the charitable social enterprise operating Libraries and Leisure Centres across the UK,
has today (9 June 2026) announced that it will be supporting the National Year of Reading as
a major campaign partner alongside national organisations, including BBC Sport, Audible, DC
Thomson and Tesco.
School assemblies and water safety messages as part of swim lessons. The UK's largest
public pools and swim school operator, GLL, is providing timely activities during Drowning
Prevention Week (13-20 June 2026) to raise awareness of water safety ahead of kids breaking
up for the summer holidays.
Picture caption (left to right): At Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's Copper Box Arena - GSF
Legacy Amabassador Ellie Simmonds OBE, GSF Programme's Louise Smith & Tony Wallace, and GSF
2026 Cohort athletes Autumn Eke, Sidonie Cleave, Mohammed Belbouab,
GLL: news from HCMmag.com and FitTechGlobal.com
Work has started on the £68.7 million refurbishment of the historic Kings Hall Leisure Centre in
Hackney, with a planned reopening in early 2029.
Charitable social enterprise, GLL has launched an enhanced digital health and wellbeing
platform on its Better_uk App, called Live Better.
GLL: featured in HCM and Fit Tech magazines
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The fitness industry has Gen Z pinned as a sober-curious, wellness-seeking, gym-loving bunch, but now
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Environment: Cutting carbon
With skillful management and investment, it’s possible
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reducing their carbon footprint, as Abi Harris reports
GLL
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Peter Bundey, chief executive
HCM SUMMIT
Watch Peter Bundey, CEO, GLL, speak at HCM Summit 2025
GLL video gallery:
Key personnel
Peter Bundey, chief executive
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
Key customers
Companies we work with include:
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
Plans for the next 12 months
Our 2026 strategies and roadmap are
already well-shaped and are based on
our Five-Year Plan, launched in 2024.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
Testimonial
“We made the decision to begin supporting the GLL Sport Foundation in 2015, and it is a pleasure to announce the renewal of our sponsorship with this incredible institution.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
Testimonial
"I am so thankful for the support I have received from GLL Sport Foundation. My first individual medal ever is extremely special, and I would not be here if it wasn’t for the support, I have received from the GLL ‘family’.”
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
Testimonial
"This exciting new chapter cements the future of our six key sports venues and is part of our commitment to the many communities we serve far and wide. We have carefully structured this partnership with GLL to ensure that visitors will continue to enjoy the very best in these stellar, highly popular venues. We look forward to together creating exciting new programmes and activities that draw on the strengths of both organisations.
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
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