Anyone for Tennis? Table Tennis that is!

With the London Marathon cancelled this year, the organisers encouraged participants to still take part in virtual activities.

With that in mind, Ambergate pupil Joe Marlor, spoke with his Mum, Karen, and together they came up with their own event, and turned it into a fundraiser.

Joe is a keen Table Tennis player and sadly, back in April, his Coach, Russell Winfield, passed away. Joe decided to raise money in Russell’s memory and ‘Facebook Live’ his Table Tennis challenges.

Joe’s challenges weren’t that straight forward and he chose to take on 26 minutes for each task (a minute per mile of the London Marathon), against his mechanical practice partner.

Joe took on each challenge as if he had a disability – taking to his first challenge with a bat taped to his hand, as if he had a hand missing. Next, Joe tried standing on one leg, and then sat on an office chair as if he were wheelchair bound. His mum, Karen said, “His final challenge was 26 minutes playing with the bat in his mouth, he was amazing!”

Russell’s family (his wife Jo and children, Emily & Fraser), decided that the money raised should go towards The Talking Newspaper in Grantham, and they would buy some Table Tennis equipment for Ambergate.  John Mapletoft, also a table tennis coach, very kindly donated extra bats and balls.

Mr Maltby, PE Lead at Ambergate Sports College said, “We are so very grateful for Karen and Joe’s efforts. Thank you so much also to the Winfield family, for thinking of us and donating such fantastic table tennis equipment to our school. These are such a welcome addition to our table tennis equipment and it means that we can now be even more inclusive to our pupils. We would also like to extend our thanks to John Mapletoft who donated the additional equipment.”

To view one of Joe’s practice videos please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZregPkVN14&safe=active