A CHARITY has had an image overhaul after opening a state-of-the-art gym and changing its name.

Tottenham Hotspur hero Ledley King officially opened the all-new Health and Wellbeing Centre in Forest Road, last week, as Forest YMCA announced it has ‘refreshed’ its name.

Hundreds of people turned out to the event run by the newly titled ‘YMCA East London’ to try out the sports on offer at the multi-million pound facility.

Forest YMCA served the community for decades after Forest Gate and Plaistow YMCA premises were sold in the 1960s were and the Forest Road hostel was built.

Every year the charity helps homeless people to find employment, education and puts a roof over their head.

YMCA East London’s Chair, Christine Giscombe said: “With effect from today we will be removing the Forest from our name and will in future be called YMCA East London.

“Our new name has been supported by a national brand campaign which enables us to adopt a visual identity that has been introduced across many of the YMCAs in England.”

Before cutting the ribbon, the Waltham Forest Mayor praised YMCA East London’s work with young homeless people, and said how impressed she was by the new facilities.

On introducing Ledley King, Robin Smith, Interim CEO at YMCA East London, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ledley here today at the official opening and naming of our sports hall, the Percy Wilding Hall.

“The hall is named in honour of a local man who was a life-long supporter of the YMCA and played badminton here since it opened in 1969 and continued well into his nineties.

“Sadly Percy passed away last year aged 100 years, before the hall was completed. However, we are pleased to have 3 generations of his family here today.”

Percy’s daughter, June Higginbottom said how much Percy had enjoyed coming along to the YMCA and that the family were “delighted” to have the hall named after him.

The new Centre includes a state of the art gym, two fitness studios, a large sports hall with four badminton courts, and a crèche as well as a treatment room, and cafe.

Forest YMCA has been involved in turning shipping containers in to homes in Walthamstow.

For more information on membership and facilities go towww.ymcaeastlondon.org.uk