Three of Heron’s junior players played an eight hour tennis match on Sunday in aid of Help for Heroes, the charity that has been providing long term care for wounded servicemen and women since 2008.
The match was competitive right from the first point at 9.30am. 12 sets later, Tim Marter, Tad Maclean and Jack Bright were still battling to win at 5.30pm, their attitudes and efforts fitting of the charity they were raising money for! After the final set was won, the mentally and physically exhausted young teenagers were presented with commemorative mugs from Paul Rees, a former Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines who has served all over the world, including Northern Ireland and the Falklands War.
The idea of the fund raiser was Tim Martin‘s, a skilful player who once did a similar charity event as Mini tennis player when he lived in Essex. He now lives in Newquay and hones his tennis skills at the Heron Tennis Centre on its Tuesday night coaching session with other young players who include Tad and Jack. Tim arranged and promoted the event, and organised the fund raising, which included the boys asking for sponsorship money from their friends, family and at Cornwall College and Newquay Tretherras. They also stood at the entrance of Newquay‘s Sainsbury’s store and raised £70 from supportive shoppers one Saturday afternoon.
On the day of the event, members and visitors to the centre popped into Heron’s indoor dome court where the marathon match was taking place to offer their support and donate to the charity. Commemorative Help for Heroes t-shirts and Heron Tennis and Ace Academy jackets were also sold on the day in aid of the charity, and the final sum of money raised is expected to be around £600. Great efforts boys!
Tim, Tad and Jack, and all at the Heron Tennis Centre and its Ace Academy (for talented, aspiring and committed players), would like to thank Paul Rees for his support and generosity. Not only did he provide banners, match shirts and jackets for the day, Paul has kindly sponsored Ace Academy. This is helping cover some of the costs of its leading players as they travel to compete around the country and to Germany in August.
Representing these players and giving thanks to Paul on the day was Ace Academy player, Elliot Moses Ace Academy player Liam Manning had hoped to be present with Elliot, but was competing in the final of an event in Exmouth at the time. Well done for beating a few higher ranked players Liam!