London Marathon Foundation funds new community activity facility in Brighton

First-time funding in Brighton to create a new, accessible table tennis centre

The London Marathon Foundation has awarded £250,000 to the Brighton Table Tennis Club (BTTC) to set up a brand-new community sports facility in Moulsecoomb, Brighton. This is our first-ever funding in the city, made possible by our events company – London Marathon Events – taking over the Brighton Marathon Weekend in December 2022.

Our funding will allow BTTC to grow its inclusive community initiatives in a brand-new community and area of need, with the ambition for the Moulsecoomb facility to be a centre for parasports, as well as providing a wide range of daily activities and school holiday programmes for children and young people.

We’re one of the UK’s major funders of sport and physical activity initiatives that support people – especially children, young people and marginalised communities – to lead active and healthy lives. The work of BTTC, an engaging local charity that has used table tennis to support the health and wellbeing of communities across Brighton for more than 15 years, complements our vision to Inspire Activity.

BTTC prioritises working with people who have the least access to, but who would benefit most from, playing table tennis. The new facility in Moulsecoomb, planned to open in 2024, will be fully accessible and bring the benefits of BTTC’s work to even more people, including children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and those from refugee and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Catherine Anderson, Executive Director of the London Marathon Foundation, said: “Our mission at the London Marathon Foundation is to inspire, increase and champion participation and diversity in physical activity, and thanks to London Marathon Events’ takeover of the Brighton Marathon Weekend, we’re investing in a brand-new community facility in Brighton that will do just that.

“Brighton Table Tennis Club has incredible local knowledge, trust and expertise in running impactful community activities attracting people from across the city, and we’re excited to help grow their work and reach even more people who will benefit from accessible activity. Their new centre will make table tennis and other community activities more accessible in Moulsecoomb and beyond, inspiring activity for more people for many years to come.”

Tim Holtam, Founder Director of Brighton Table Tennis Club, said: “Everyone at Brighton Table Tennis Club is incredibly excited about opening an additional venue in the heart of Moulsecoomb. It will massively grow our capacity to bring table tennis, and all the benefits that come with it, to even more people.

“We believe no one should be excluded from accessing community sport, and pride ourselves on being accessible and affordable to all. Our new venue will run sessions seven days a week for children and young people – from international Paralympic superstars bringing on the next generation of young Para players, to sessions for players with long-term health conditions and sessions for anyone aged over 18 years old. Thank you to the London Marathon Foundation for supporting these values and our vision of table tennis being used as a force for good.”