Our Story

Why was Atlas started?

As an International rugby player I have been fortunate to travel the world and my playing career has taken me to some amazing corners of the earth.

However I often encountered severe poverty in some of the most deprived communities on the earth on these trips.

Seeing this and meeting people from these communities, inspired me to give back and try and help where possible.

In the UK I had always been given great opportunities to support numerous charities and I have run my Annual Charity Dinner for 20 years choosing a different charity beneficiary every year.

In 2014, I decided to set up my own Foundation and dedicate my time and energy to support children in abject poverty and danger around the world.

- Jason Leonard, Atlas founder and Chairman

A Potted History of Atlas

Edited highlights from our short but productive existence

2023

Several successful events ran, including House of Lords Dinners, our Annual Golf day, a Fidelity Velodrome event, as well as the Winchester Ball.

2022

Covid-19 no longer meant events were cancelled - several successful events ran, including 4 exclusive House of Lords dinners, Annual golf day, Tour of Cambridgeshire cycling event, Winchester Christmas Ball, Fidelity Velodrome event, and a dinner for our co-existence programme in Israel.
Atlas trustee and Rugby Champion, Maro Itjoe, visited projects in Kenya
Atlas CEO visited projects in South Africa, Kenya, and India

2021

Atlas expands to 43 projects on 17 countries, directly supporting 75,000 children
In person events cancelled due to Covid-19, but the first virtual fundraiser was a great success, and raised over £45,000 for the Atlas DigiBus in South Africa

2020

Atlas All Schools programme in Asia, South Africa, and the Americas expanded to benefit 61,000 children, working with them regularly to ensure the programme had long lasting impacts.
Atlas USA established.
Events planned, including Kenya Trek, golf day, and cycling events, cancelled due to Covid-19

2019

First event in South Africa, the Cape Town Cycle Tour with SA Rugby Champions John Smit and Percy Montgomery, and the future Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
Nicholson Memorial Fund established to bring positive change across Asia following a devastating tragedy; it is the largest private fund ever for Atlas, raising over £100,000 in a few weeks, and aiming for £200,000 by end of November.

2018

Record income and record number of projects and children supported.
Atlas All Schools expanded to 20 schools in Buenos Aires.
Atlas France is legally established, and Atlas South Africa opens.

2017

£300,000 raised of which 80% allocated to charity work
Atlas All Schools Programme developed and early projects established in South Africa and Israel
Atlas 'Private Funds' developed with Rugby Clubs, Schools and Families

2016

Early project grants are made for £180,000 to 10 grassroots projects over three years
First UK cycle and golf events
Rugby Champions grow to 24

2015

First major fundraiser, the World Cup Warriors dinner, raises over £100,000
Logo created
First 10 Rugby Champions join and start developing projects overseas

2014

The Atlas Foundation legally established but not active

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