Press Release - London Marathon - 2/22/11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

     Prince Harry to be Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust

22 February 2011

Prince Harry is to become Patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, 
from 2012 for three years. The Trust is the organisation which uses surplus 
funds from the London Marathon each year to protect local sports, leisure 
and recreation facilities.

The Trust was set up in 1981 by London Marathon founders Chris Brasher and 
John Disley "to raise money for the provision of recreation facilities in 
London". It has allocated grants equal to more than £40.5 million to 
projects in areas of the country where the London Marathon stages events.

John Disley, Chairman of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, said: "We 
are delighted that His Royal Highness has agreed to become Patron of the 
London Marathon Charitable Trust. The Prince's love of sport and commitment 
to young people's leisure and well-being is widely known.

The Trust has been helping maintain and improve sport and leisure 
facilities for the people of London and further afield since it was founded 
30 years ago. Prince Harry will be a fantastic patron for the charity and 
supporter of its aims as we move into our fourth decade."

This year the Trust has allocated grants totalling £5,365,352 from the 
surplus made by the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. Last year half a million 
pounds was given to Hackney Council for the redevelopment scheme at Hackney 
Marshes. It also works to save and preserve playing fields around London, 
six sets of playing fields have been saved so far and the Trust is 
committed to funding community legacy facilities from the London 2012 
Olympics.

Prince Harry was recently presented with a 'Golden Heart' award by the 
German charity Ein Herz für Kinder ('Heart for Children'), in recognition 
of his charitable and humanitarian work. He is Patron of ten organisations, 
including a number of children's and humanitarian charities such as 
Sentebale, WellChild, the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund, Dolen Cymru 
and MapAction.

The Prince has also worked with UNICEF and Halo Trust projects around the 
world and is Patron of Walking the Wounded and the Young Army Benevolent 
Fund Project.

A keen sportsman, who enjoys playing and watching sports such as rugby 
union and polo, he is Vice Patron of the Rugby Football Union and Patron of 
the Rugby Football Injured Players Foundation.

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