Renovate the community basketball court at Joe White Gardens in Hoxton

The basketball court at Joe White Gardens, in Hoxton, is home to a lively community of players. More than 270 people are formal members, and many more drop in to play whenever they can: young people learning the game, adults keeping fit, coaches, and players who have competed at professional level.

The court is now in trouble. A large tree next to it is pushing up the surface, and the roots threaten to break it apart. The rest of the facilities are old and worn, and some players have already been injured because of their condition.

Our plan is to rebuild the court so it is safe and fit for purpose, and to improve the park around it at the same time, so that neighbours who never pick up a ball also see a better public space. Hackney Council supports the plan and is applying for grant funding to make it happen.

This is a part of central London where free, open facilities for young people are scarce. A court like this one keeps people active, brings different generations together and gives teenagers somewhere safe to spend their evenings.

We want the funders to see how much this place matters to the people of Hoxton, and to help us secure its future for the local community and for the growth of the sport in the UK.