Tennis star Ali Collins serves up an ace!
Dunblane tennis star Ali Collins served up an ace fundraiser when she organised a `Rally 4 Bally’ event at Beaconhurst School.
Ali, one of the top under-14 players in the UK and a Beaconhurst scholar, organised the charity fun day in memory of former British number one Elena Baltacha who died from liver cancer in May.
And young tennis fans even netted the chance to play against Andy Murray’s mother Judy during rallying sessions on the school’s mini tennis courts.
Ali, 14, was delighted with the event’s success after raising more than £1,000 for charity. She said: “It was great to see so many Beaconhurst pupils and children from other schools taking part and I was delighted our coaches and Judy Murray came along to support us. It was amazing to have the chance to play against so many diff erent people over the course of the day.”
Ali had met tennis legend Elena Baltacha at Stirling University last year and was devastated by her death. She says: “She was a great player and a really friendly person who took time to come over and give me some advice while I was training.
It was really hard
when I heard she had died and I wanted to do something in her memory and to raise funds for the charities she supported.”
Ali came up with the idea of a 12-hour rally session at the school where pupils from Beaconhurst and the wider community,
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including youngsters from Stirling, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, could come along and play in return for a donation.
She and fellow top Beaconhurst players – Jodie McLelland, Eve Lumsden, Maia Montgomerie, Cameron Kerr, Louie McLelland and Abbie Kerr – organised the day and stayed on court from 8am till 8pm hitting balls against various challengers.
Ali also invited tennis coach Judy Murray who spent around an hour on the courts rallying with youngsters as young as fi ve. Mrs Murray said: “It was a fantastic day and it was all set up by Ali, who is one of our most promising young tennis players, and her friends by themselves which is amazing. Elena Baltacha left a real impression on these players and it’s wonderful they have raised vital funds for such a fantastic cause.”
The event also included a bake sale organised by Ali’s 12-year-old brother Max Collins and her mum Dawn.
Beaconhurst’s Director of Sport Judith Ramsay was delighted with the initiative and praised Ali and her friends and family for organising the day.
The funds raised will be split between the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the Elena Baltacha Foundation.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
For more information about Beaconhurst School visit the website
www.beaconhurst.com
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