We did it!! On the longest day of the year, we completed our biggest ever challenge, playing tennis for 24 hours without a break. Dozens of players took to the courts throughout the 24 hour 'Tennisathon'- all to help raise funds which will go towards resurfacing the club courts and replacing the court fence.

Click here to listen to BBC Radio Shropshire's feature about our challenge, with updates from Helen Randle.   

We started at midday on Saturday 21st June with a group countdown to mark the start of the 24 hour challenge, and an hour's Club Play to open the proceedings.

Our Midsummer 'Tennisathon' then continued with members playing tennis around the clock, in the bright afternoon sunshine until early evening when the light started to fade and the sun set and darkness fell. The floodlights were switched on and some plucky brave souls carried on playing under floodlights into the small hours.

It was a memorable moment as day broke and the sun rose over the Long Mynd to the east of the courts, with the dawn chorus heralding the final stretch of the challenge. The players on the dawn shift, Helen and Mitch even served up some breakfast tennis in their pyjamas!

After a lovely sunrise the weather turned a little less favourable and damp, but rain didn't stop play as Jenny and Phil continued to volley to each other under the shelter of one of our gazebos.

As more and more players and supporters gathered, our 24 hours of play culminated in an all-comers Grand Finale from 11am till midday on Sunday 22nd June, with everyone wearing bright colours to bring the challenge to a colourful and rousing close. 

The deputy Mayor of Bishop's Castle Andy Stelman joined us to count us down and declare that our 24 hour Tennisathon was officially completed.

We celebrated our achievement with an afternoon tea party, with cakes, drinks,  and tired legs!

We've completed this challenge to help kick-start our fundraising for the club, as we need to replace 2 of our 3 courts and all of our perimeter fencing, which will cost around £47,000.

We're hoping that the Tennisathon will raise £1,000 towards this total target.

Our Crowdfunding page for donations is here and will be live until the end of August, so any donations and support would be gratefully receive.  If you are able to add Gift Aid to your donation please do so as it doesn't cost you any more but it raises extra money for our club.

Thank you for your support!