Beckenham Lawn Tennis Club is one of the most historic tennis clubs in England. We celebrated our 150th anniversary last year and have a proud track record of performance tennis, including hosting of the pre-Wimbledon grass court tournament from 1886 to 1996, winners of which included Pat Cash, John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova.

As with any sports club, funding for new initiatives depends on goodwill and support from across the membership. Such is the case at BLTC now as we look to extend the existing court infrastructure to replace the 3 delapidated tarmac courts with brand new synthetic clay ones.

We have been fortunate to secure a grant from the LTA for a good proportion of the cost, but need to raise a further £15,000 in contributions.

I am trying to do my bit as a proud member of the club since 2005, by raising funds ... albeit in Lycra not with a racquet in hand;-)

I shall be cycling the Coast to Coast route - from Whitehaven (near Carlisle) to Tynemouth (near Newcastle), a distance of over 225 Km. I'll be managing the distance over 2 days, staying overnight in the luxury of a youth hostel (which in itself must be deserving of some funding support!;-). The ride takes place the weekend of 17 and 18 June, so please also pray for clement weather;-)!

If you can see your way clear to providing some sponsorship and in so doing helping the club raise the needed funds, then I will appreciate greatly.

Watch this site for pics of the progress - beware of Middle-Aged Man in Lycra mind!