On Sunday 31st July I am cycling 100 miles to proudly support a small, grassroots charity geared towards engaging those socially and economically marginalised in sporting activities. 

 St Katherine's St Katherine’s Trust promotes social inclusion, mental & physical well-being and drug & crime awareness through engaging ex/potential young offenders in sporting activities.

In 2012 the charity was formed by two residents of Tower Hamlets who were disillusioned with a lack of youth facilities and after-school provisions in the Wapping area. Their football club - the SKT team - rapidly became the core site of the charity’s core activities and is renown for being ‘the most ethnically diverse team in Tower Hamlets’.

With Tower Hill Trust funding, St Katherine’s has been able to gradually extend their activities to elder community members who face similar levels of social isolation. For example, the charity has been able to offer weekly badminton practices and tournaments to a significant number of 55+’s.

The older players - as do the isolated youths - rejoice in the stability and routine the charity provides: ‘it gives us something to look forward to each week’.