Back in February, 10 Pangbourne Tennis Club volunteers attended disability awareness training ahead of an upcoming programme of 10 sessions scheduled from May to July.

The sessions are supported by a grant from the Bright Ideas for Tennis charity, run by our friend Danny Sapsford. Bright Ideas for Tennis linked us up with a local special needs school, whilst we as a club provided the specialist equipment, the volunteers and our marvellous coach Damian Lane. Pangbourne Tennis Club has also donated half the proceeds of the Quiz Fundraiser in order to continue funding and running these sessions.

After the initial training and with Damian's guidance and enthusiasm, all 10 volunteers welcomed the first 9 pupils from The Avenue School on May 1st. Several sessions followed with both volunteers and students thoroughly enjoying the different activities and appreciating each
other’s company.

The club committee is very proud of this initiative and how well it has been received, whilst the school is also delighted with how quickly the pupils have settled in. One student who initially needed special attention from both their teacher and school volunteers has progressed
so well that they were playing independently and actively involved by the third session.

Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to help and to all members and friends who generously donated to the Quiz Fundraiser in support of this initiative. Finally, an especially big thank you to Damian for his enthusiasm and skills and for guiding the sessions so well.