London website’s campaign to help save community facilities chalks up new success

A newsroom’s campaign to help save vital community facilities in London has chalked up another success after the future of one of the world’s oldest tennis clubs had its future secured.

MyLondon reported on the uncertain future facing Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club in Croydon as part of its Don’t Cut The Heart Out of London Campaign, which has shone a spotlight on the growing number of community facilities closing their doors.

The club needed to raise £25,000 to buy its freehold after cash-strapped Croydon Council announced plans to sell it as it seeks to get on top of its crippling debt.

A gofundme appeal reached its target earlier this month, with MyLondon drawing attention to the appeal as part of its campaign.

Lisa Patient, leading the fundraising effort at Norbury Park, said: “We’re so grateful and overwhelmed really, because something like 400 people donated — that’s just phenomenal.”

Since launch, MyLondon’s campaign has helped secure the future of The Beck Theatre in Hayes; helped raise enough money to prevent Grow Wild adventure playground in Walthamstow from shutting; and supported Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club’s fundraising to secure its future.

But not every story has resulted in success, as MyLondon reported the city has also lost Applecart Arts in Newham, and ORA community brewery in Tottenham.

The campaign is being co-ordinate by Dave Comeau, local democracy editor at MyLondon