Marathon trust funds new pavilion

Friday 20th April 2012

Grassroots sport clubs in west London are benefiting from a newly-refurbished pavilion thanks to a £310,000 grant from the London Marathon Charitable Trust.

The 80-year-old building at London Marathon Playing Fields in Greenford was upgraded by the London Playing Fields Foundation for nearly three-quarters of a million pounds, with £430,000 coming from Sporting England's Community Investment Fund.

The ground is home to West London Rugby Football Club and Middlesex County FA's Girls' Centre of Excellence, as well as 13 local football clubs and five cricket clubs.

It was one of seven areas saved for grassroots and recreation areas when the London Marathon Charitable Trust was set up in the early 1980s.

Alex Welsh, chief executive of the London Playing Fields Foundation, said: "The relationship between the London Marathon Charitable Trust and London Playing Fields Foundation is one of London's most productive grassroots sporting partnerships.

"Both recognise that accessible, affordable and attractive facilities lie at the heart of a healthier more active London."

John Bryant, chairman of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: "We are delighted to be able to be part of this project.

"Since 1999, we have made several large capital grants which have helped to save sports grounds from potential development and preserve them for community sports use in perpetuity. We are pleased to work closely with the foundation in delivering these benefits across London."

The London Marathon Charitable Trust distributed more than £5.6 million to 54 projects in 24 boroughs in 2011 and another £1 million has been set aside for community legacy facilities after the 2012 Olympics.

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