A keen tennis player will pushing his endurance levels to the limit this weekend by attempting a 24 hour tennis marathon.

Richard Davies of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest will be exchanging rallies with 26 members from Haverfordwest Tennis Club, and perhaps a few sporting celebrities, from 4pm tomorrow, Saturday, May 24 to 4pm and Sunday, May 25.

With racket in hand, the forty-nine year old hopes to net some much needed funds for a charity close to his heart, Shalom House palliative care centre in St Davids.

Richard’s wife Kathy has received respite care there over the past two years.

He said: “Shalom looks after Kathy, who has multiple sclerosis, when I’m busy in work, and also to give me a break.

“Sadly Shalom‘s finances have come under difficulty in recent months, and it has had to reduce the hours of care it offers patients.”

Shalom House opened its doors in 2007 after a decade of fundraising in Pembrokeshire, but as of November last year its board of trustees announced that its around-the-clock service was no longer sustainable due to the financial situation of the charity, and that it would only be able to provide care for day patients.

Richard said: "Hopefully I can raise awareness of the charity and also some money, so the centre can open 24 hours a day again.

“It will also be good exposure for the tennis club, as I’ve been a committee member here for the past 12 months.”

Richard, who works as an independent financial adviser, got the idea for the 24 hour tennis marathon after seeing that somebody else had done it online.

He said: “I’m coming up to age 50, so I thought I’d do something to try and push myself.

“I played tennis as a junior in school and came back to the sport three years ago and really enjoy it.

“I’ll probably be absolutely shattered afterwards, but it will be worth it.”

On Sunday of the challenge, Haverfordwest Tennis Club will be holding an open day to encourage people to take up the sport.

There will be free junior coaching on offer, as well as cardio tennis sessions.

Richard shas raised £1,640 so far. "Anything above my target of £3,000 would be great,” he said.

 “I am hoping to get a couple of sporting celebrities down to the club to play against me.

"A Welsh football or rugby international would be great.”

To donate to Richard’s cause visit www.justgiving.com/Richard-Davies32