Seven months ago, when I was struggling to train for the London Marathon, I joined Crablands Bowling and Tennis Club in Selsey. I'll be honest, when I joined I was looking for any motivation at all to help my fitness, and not thinking about tennis at all! It's been one of the best decisions I've made. Better fitness, better mood, new friends and a real sense of community. This little club is just a few steps from my front door and I know so many other members who see it as their happy place.

So when I decided to run the London Marathon this Sunday, after more u-turns than Margaret Thatcher in the 80s, it felt right to give something back.

At just £150 a year for adult membership, Crablands punches well above its weight. The club has recently made a significant investment in premium artificial clay surfaces on two of its courts. Clay surfaces are rare in the UK despite being proven to produce seven times fewer injuries than harder surfaces. The courts are fully porous and all-weather too, so no more cancellations after a bit of West Sussex rain. ☔

The mental and physical health improvements of local tennis clubs are well-proven. The research speaks for itself: the LTA found the wellbeing benefits of playing tennis are worth around £2,000 per person, and 64% of players feel more confident, 60% feel happier and 63% feel less isolated since playing. I can personally vouch for every one of those statistics.

Your donation helps keep this brilliant little club going. And every pound means another metre I'll be smiling even while I’m hobbling through on Sunday. 🏃‍♂️

Thank you! 🙏