THE TEAM at Pershore Tennis Centre hosted the local leg of nationwide charity challenge Breakpoint 2019 and have already raised nearly £300 for mental health charities.
Pershore Tennis Centre – the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lawn Tennis Association’s (LTA) club of the year – staged the tennis fund-raiser run by former Davis Cup player Danny Sapsford, the man behind Bright Ideas for Tennis.
Supported by the LTA and All England Club, the event aims to raise awareness of the benefits tennis has on one’s mental well-being and to raise funds to expand the club’s tennis programme – I Play 30 – which currently provides free tennis to disability groups, with a particular on-going focus on mental health.
The idea was realised by Robyn Moore who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and who took up tennis on the advice of a psychologist when she suffered with flashbacks.
Robyn said: “Tennis helped me steer away from the constant battle in my head and, more importantly, I realised I don’t feel so alone anymore. My idea soon became a reality and Breakpoint 2019 was born.”
Backed by Tim Henman, Breakpoint 2019 is being held at nearly 50 venues across the UK, ending up at the All England Club Community Sports Ground on June 30 – the day before Wimbledon 2019 commences.
Sapsford, charity manager of Bright Ideas for Tennis, said: “Tennis has been shown to have significant benefits on people’s mental and physical well-being which is why it is so important more people get involved in tennis at every age across the country.
“Pershore Indoor Tennis Centre is doing some fantastic work at all levels from junior programmes, performance coaching, cardio tennis and parents and child classes, which is why we are pleased to be here and appreciate their support.”
Fund-raising for Breakpoint 2019 continues and Jon Guppy, junior chairman at Pershore, urges others to donate: “We had a record number attending the improvers session with head coach Steve and everyone was able to meet Robyn Moore.
“The Bright Ideas for Tennis team would like to thank Pershore for their continued support of them.”
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/breakpoint2019. For more about Pershore Tennis Centre, head to www.pershoretennis.co.uk.
