Thames21 to create 'breathing place' in Hackney

Thames21 is delighted to announce receipt of £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to create a 'breathing place' on the Regents Canal in Hackney.

The funding is part of the BBC's Breathing Places campaign which aims to encourage people to become actively involved in turning local places into an oasis for communities and wildlife.

Thames21 work across London's network of rivers and canals and are planning on using the grant to work with local people in Haggerston, Hackney to clean up and improve the canal for everyone.

Thames21's Canal Programmes Manager Theo Thomas said, 'This is a great opportunity for local people in Haggerston to make big changes along the Regent's Canal. Rubbish and graffiti drives people away from their local green spaces and we want to work with volunteers to transform the canal and create a great place to spend time in. This area is a public space and everyone has the right to enjoy it.'

As well as transforming the Regent's Canal into a 'breathing place' where more people want to spend time, Thames21 will also develop a new way of measuring the success of projects to use across the London's waterway network and Thames21's programme of work.

Other organisations in the London region to receive funding to create a Breathing Place are: The Friends of White Hall Recreation Group, Chiswick House Kitchen Garden Association, Bow Arts Trust, Trees for Cities, Groundwork South East London, Woodcroft Wildspace, Lea Rivers Trust and Walworth Garden Farm.

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Media enquiries Leigh McAlea at Thames21 020 7213 0166 / 07875 250 284
Notes to Editors:

1. Thames21 is an environmental charity working to bring London's waterways to life.

2. Breathing Places is a three-year campaign to inspire people to create and care for green spaces where they live - from neighbourhood parks, school grounds and workplaces to local nature reserves. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces for more information

3. The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) operates the Breathing Places grants programme. The Big Lottery Fund has committed £5 million to a dedicated Breathing Places grants programme. ALL money will go to community groups and partner organisations to help them create 'breathing places'.

For media enquiries contact Leigh McAlea on 020 7213 0166 / 07875 250 284