New sporting scheme for children living in property in Tower Hamlets

An initiative designed to use sport to motivate underachieving children has been launched in the London borough of Tower Hamlets.

The London Marathon Playing for Success (PfS) centre is located at Morpeth School and could see youngsters in the borough, including those living in flats to rent in Bethnal Green, receive a boost.

Liz Yelling, British Olympian and a former teacher, noted that sport can do more to inspire pupils than traditional lessons.

And chief executive of the London Marathon Nick Bitel remarked: "We hope that our involvement with the PfS centre in Tower Hamlets will help to show the children what can be achieved by hard work and determination."

Most PfS centres see partners provide access to facilities, but the London Marathon is making a financial contribution as although the route of the race - which takes place this weekend - passes through Tower Hamlets, it does not have a central venue.

Tower Hamlets Council recently announced that residents of property in Bethnal Green and across the borough can now take advantage of free swimming on Fridays.

Written by Andy Britten