24 hour tennis '˜marathon' raises Sport Relief cash

The club juniors ran the 24 hour challenge to celebrate the launch, and raised an incredible £1,250 for Sport Relief in the process thanks to donations from club members who paid to play against them during the marathon, and other members who sponsored them.

The commitment and hard work was put in by Elizabeth Hardcastle, Bradley Bullas, Brooke Walker Smith, Oliver Lyon and Morgan Vickers.

The group played tennis non-stop from Thursday March 10 to Friday March 11, finishing at 7pm on the Friday - to a huge round of 
applause from the 75 club members who turned up to watch the final stretch and take part in the Sports Relief tournament and quiz which followed.

Head Coach Ed Allinson said: “It capped a great way to launch our new surface, and raised a terrific sum of 
money for a great cause.”

The new synthetic grass ‘Savanna’ surface was installed on three outdoor courts - at a cost of £40,000 - in a bid to attract new members and enhance the tennis experience for all members.

Ed Allinson added: “We thought our existing courts were beginning to look tired and in need of renovation.

“After discussing our options, I played on the Savanna and thought it was the best available so we took the plunge and ordered all three courts to be resurfaced.”

• Call 01507 609523 to enquire about the new 
courts or to join the club.