Open letter to Sir Keir Starmer

• I APPEAL to you to step in to prevent the imminent closure of the London Central YMCA, scheduled for February 7.

The Y is an extremely precious community asset, for citizens of all ages and walks of life. Once it is gone it is gone.

We’re told that the sums currently don’t add up to continue to run the YMCA. But what value is put on the health and wellbeing benefits accruing to members like myself, who have enjoyably exercised and socialised there over decades, helped and supported by expert staff?

This long-term investment in our health surely lessens the need for us to call on the NHS. And there are so many other social benefits, of course.

Please can you intervene?

TIM CLARK,
Coram Street, WC1