Fields in Trust Launch Next Stage of Diamond Jubilee Legacy. 18 October 2011

The Fields in Trust in partnership with Asda have urged the public to get involved in permanently protecting 2012 parks, playing fields and playgrounds as part of the next phase of The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Non Evans MBE, today helped launch the ‘Save a Space for me’ campaign in Wales. Penarth Athletic Field, the site of the Welsh launch, an important playing field for Penarth and the wider area, has been nominated along with 6 other sites by the Vale of Glamorgan Council ensuring their preservation for generations.  The Fields in Trust Cymru Chairman, Ivor Morgan, Council Leader Cllr Gordon Kemp, Charlotte Jones of Asda and pupils of St Cyres Comprehensive School joined Non to celebrate the start of a month long online public vote to support sites in local areas.

Non said, “I am thrilled to support this initiative protecting important outdoor play, sport and recreation facilities.  I was honoured to have reached the highest level, representing Wales in different sports, but it all started on local playing fields such as the Athletic Field.  It is vital they are protected to allow the stars of tomorrow to nurture their talent.”

Led by its Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge and supported by Asda as principal partner, the charity Fields in Trust aims to ensure that communities across the country have the opportunity to ensure vital outdoor recreational spaces are protected for future generations.

A specially recorded video message from The Duke of Cambridge urged the British public to support this fantastic legacy programme:  “We have been offered coastline and woodland, as well as existing children’s playgrounds and recreational fields. Now we need you to join in. In many areas, there are more nominations than can be accommodated so we need you to vote for your favourite space in your community. You can vote online, www.qe2fields.com, from October 18th but voting is only open for a month, so please don’t delay!”

The FIT Cymru Chairman Ivor Morgan said, “The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge aims to create a fitting and lasting grassroots legacy across the UK to mark both the Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics. I am delighted that vital support from our partners ASDA has helped us encourage the majority of Welsh authorities to take part. I urge the public to go online to show their support.”

‘Save a Space for me’ can be accessed through the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge website www.qe2fields.com