Mayor today, funds tomorrow

By Luchia Robinson

Sadiq Khan with LUOS founder, Layla Laksari              Credit: Luchia Robinson

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has launched the latest crowdfunding initiative at a community project in Tottenham.

The Mayor launched crowdfund London at Living Under One Sun (LUOS): Tottenham Café Connect– a project that has generated funds locally to transform a dilapidated bowling club in Down Lane Park into a community hub.

The Crowdfund London initiative helps raise money for community led projects such as LUOS, contributing additional funds to that already raised by the community.

During this visit Sadiq Khan met local residents and saw the communal spaces used for cooking, gardening and craft making.

Communal garden space                     Credit: Luchia Robinson

Layla Laksari, founder and CEO of LUOS said:

“We are extremely grateful to the Mayor for his support through his crowdfunding programme. With this support we have created a welcoming place in our neighbourhood for people of all backgrounds and ages to come together and share stories, skills and ideas, as a way of having a positive role in shaping Tottenham’s future.”

Anja Beinroth, Treasurer of LUOS told TCP that: “The crowd-funder has really built support and awareness of our project. It’s been really nice to see lots of different people making a contribution.

“It’s shown us that people care about Living Under One Sun, and want us to do things in the community.”

Speaking to Layla at the launch, the Mayor said: “We’re hoping other communities in London can see the example you’ve done here with Tottenham Café Connect and use it as a way of engendering a sense of community spirit, not just raising money, but getting to know each other.”

The Mayor wants communities across London to take inspiration from LUOS by applying for the funds available this year, with proposals for transforming their local areas. He said: “This is people-powered regeneration in action and we want more Londoners with great ideas for improving their local communities to get involved.

“I’m also calling on businesses to join me in supporting these brilliant projects, which enable our city’s diverse communities to play an active role in shaping the future of their local areas.

“We want to harness the entrepreneurial spirit our city is famous for and apply it to the challenges and opportunities faced by communities across the capital, so I urge anyone with a creative project to apply to this year’s crowdfunding programme.”