By Sarah Fox

We’re used to seeing Markus Lupfer’s designs scattered around Harrods, Liberty, and even NET-A-PORTER, so the promise of a free designer T-shirt in exchange for a little sports-participation sounds slightly too good to be true.

In this case, however, it need not be, as fashion and charity once again collide to bring about awareness of urban tree-planting.

Always game for a collaboration, the London-based designer has teamed up with Trees For Cities’ Tree-Athlon, taking place in Battersea Park on Saturday 15^th September.

The charity is dedicated to turning the world’s most deprived urban areas ‘green’ by encouraging the community to be active, plant seedlings, and enjoy their natural environment.

Sticking to the true triathlon outline, the day will be split up into three sections: a 5km run, a 100m barefoot sprint, and a chance to plant your own free tree.

Each runner will receive an exclusive Markus Lupfur tee, designed especially for the charity. Aside from a limited number of T-shirts being sold on the day for £15 each, this original print will not be available to buy in stores, so if you want to get your hands on one, you’re simply going to have to take part.

With the ending of the Olympics it was bound to be only a short amount of time before we went a bit cold-turkey with not being able to proudly watch our country stride to victory. The Tree-Athlon provides the perfect antidote to our pining, as in addition to the sporting activities there will also be a family-friendly festival on site with live music, games, arts, crafts and food.  

All the profits from the Tree-Athlon and T-shirt sales will go straight to Trees for Cities to help them on their mission to beatify our urban surroundings.

As if a free Lupfur tee isn’t enough of an incentive to pack your trainers and get down to the event, there will also be a number of celebrity participants supporting Trees for Cities, including Blur bassist Alex Jones, who will set the race off to an official start.  

If encouragement is what you need, pop legend Sinitta will also be stopping by to lead the warm-up to the Tree-Athlon, whilst Kerry Ellis (The Voice UK) will be participating in the 5km fun run.  

 You can register now at www.tree-athlon.org - however there is a prompt 10.15am start, so if you want to do a good deed whilst gaining a piece of fashion history, you might want to make Friday night a quiet one…