Northaw and Cuffley Tennis Club members will make a racket to raise money as they hit the courts for a 24-hour "tennisathon". 

The event will be happening tonight, March 17, from 6pm onwards at Northaw & Cuffley Lawn Tennis Club.

Those who wish to join in will pay a fee. A raffle and a competition for the fastest serving speed will also take place. 

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It's the first Comic Relief fundraiser for the tennis club, but players are already signing up in droves, with all donations going to Red Nose Day. 

Club member and event organiser Paul Fitzsimmons said: “We’ve had lots of people wanting to get involved although the midnight to 6am slots haven’t been so popular. 

“It’s been pretty grim over the last few years with Covid, and I felt it would be great to get people together, have some fun and raise money at the same time.  

"Red Nose Day is fun and Comic Relief supports so many causes there’s sure to be something close to the heart of everyone taking part in our tennisathon.”   

The club has around 300 to 400 members, from toddlers to people in their 80s, and is very sociable.   

Paul added: “There will be more than one court going and people will come and go. 

“We’re also having a raffle for which local businesses have offered prizes and we’ll have a serving speed competition where you pay to enter and the fastest serve wins a prize.   

“I’ve fundraised before but it’s the first time I’ve raised money for Comic Relief. 

“I’m sure there will be sleeping bags for anyone who needs a nap and there will be snacks on hand. A friend who is helping me run this has a café so he’s bringing food and cakes.”   

                                                                                                        

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Comic Relief uses the power of humour and popular culture to engage people to help others and raises money to support organisations working towards a world free from poverty.   

Their mission combines comedy and relief as they believe that helping others can be easy and fun, even in the face of the challenges we face every day.   

To find out more about Red Nose Day and donate, go to comicrelief.com/rednoseday