A KEEN tennis player will be attempting a 24 hour tennis marathon later this month to net some much needed funds for a charity close to his heart.


Richard Davies of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest will be taking on 26 members from Haverfordwest Tennis Club from 4pm on Saturday, May 24 to 4pm on Sunday, May 25.


He hopes to raise funds for Shalom House palliative care centre in St Davids, where his wife has received respite care over the past two years.


Richard 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 care it offers patients since last November. Hopefully I can raise awareness of the charity and also some money, so the centre can open 24 hours a day again.”


Richard, who works a financial adviser and is a committee member at the tennis club, 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.”


On the 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 coaching on offer, as well as cardio tennis sessions.


Richard said: “I have raised around £800 so far, and anything above my target of £3,000 would be great.


“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