LPFF Press Release

LPFF shows support for LMCT

Following the Dispatches programme on Channel 4 on 9th April in the absence of any balanced reporting I wish to put the record straight about the London Marathon Charitable Trust. We did invite the production company to visit our grounds to see the evidence for themselves but the offer was not accepted.

London Playing Fields Foundation, founded in 1890 to protect, provide and promote playing fields in the capital has benefited significantly from the LMCT over the last twenty years. Firstly the Trust has helped rescue and purchase (using monies from its playing fields fund) three playing fields whose long term future was under threat. Secondly the Trust has also provided large capital sums to build new and to refurbish existing sports pavilions so that they can be more accessible and attractive to local communities. In addition the Trust has funded the purchase of playing equipment (such as cricket nets) and essential grounds machinery. As well as capital investment the Trust has also provided revenue grants for projects which seek to provide sports opportunities for socially disadvantaged and under-represented groups in London. At no point has the Trust been slow in making payments and completely empathising with the needs of the recipient

In its role as a champion of playing fields protection the Trust is currently working with the LPFF to produce a Fields at Risk Register which will provide an early warning system for those playing fields which might potentially be lost.

There is little doubt that without the vision and generosity of the LMCT grassroots sporting provision in London would be a lot poorer and I would imagine that the Trust would have very few detractors in the whole London region.


Alex Welsh
Chief Executive
London Playing Fields Foundation