Two tennis loving students from the University of York are appealing for sponsors to help them complete a gruelling 11 hour ‘Tennis-a-thon’, in a bid to raise £500 for local mental health charity York Mind.
Greg Ineson and Zac Sheppard, President and Vice-President of the University of York Tennis Club, have set themselves the epic challenge to play a solid 11 hours of competetive tennis, replicating the longest match in tennis history (between Isner and Mahut at the 2010 Wimbledon championships).
However, they wont be playing alone! Greg and Zac will be joined at all times by doubles partners. Staff and students of the university (including University Registrar David Duncan, Student’s Union Sports President Isaac Beevor, other Club Presidents from Women’s Rugby and Badminton, and many more), will ‘pay to play’ for 30 minute slots of the 11 hour marathon match.
The pair will battle it out on Sunday 12th March, from 9am to 8pm, at the Heslington West campus York Sport Centre. Support from anyone at the University or general public is warmly welcomed at all times! But for the final hour and a half, 6:30pm-8pm, the University of York Tennis Club will host a raffle and fun challenges as we end the event in style!!
The two are looking for sponsors to help them reach their fundraising target of £500. To make a donation, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/uytccharitytennisathon
Greg explains his motivation for organising the challenge: “When choosing York Mind as a charity partner, our club were really enthusiastic about supporting the amazing work done in the local area by York Mind for those suffering with mental ill-health – especially given that mental health is a pressing issue at University. We wanted to organise a gruelling challenge to raise money for the provision of support across the city, but also to raise awareness on campus for York Mind as a wonderful partner charity”.
Zac added: “We need to break the taboo around mental health, and by organising such a high profile event we will get people talking as well as raising money for what is an excellent local charity. I’m really looking forward to the event, and believe I have the physical and mental edge over Greg, so if you want to be on the winning team, join Team Zac!”
Holly Bilton, Community Fundraiser at York Mind, said: “It makes such a positive difference to small charities such as York Mind when members of the student body take the initiative to raise money, and the tennis-a-thon is such an exciting and innovative challenge to choose. Thanks to people like Greg and Zac, we’re one step closer to reaching those who are very much in need of mental health support in York. We wish them, and all the players taking part in the challenge, the very best of luck.”
If you have any questions for Greg and Zac or want to be involved in any way, they would love to hear from you. Please get in touch directly via email at tennis@yusu.org
For information about York Mind and how you can get involved please visit www.yorkmind.org.uk