£35k in 24 hours at our 2022 Sportathon Event

Our 24 hour Sportathon event took place on Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th May at David Lloyd Newbury and raised over £35,000, which will be divided between The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading and Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital to buy equipment for their neonatal units.  The event was attended by hundreds of supporters over the 24 hours, including members of Kintbury, Hungerford and Newbury tennis clubs as well as families from across the area.

Over 500 hours of individual participation, equating to over 20 days of sporting activity took place during the 24 hours. The Spinathon, sponsored by Banjo Cycles was kicked off by Neil Collins GB Triathlete and Mark Letters. Over 1200 miles were cycled by participants over the weekend with the most miles cycled by Jeremy Wray who completed 45 miles. Other events included a mini-triathlon, a squashathon sponsored by Care Monitors UK, and a 24-hour tennis match sponsored by Azego and Donnington New Homes which featured individually sponsored players, each playing for 6-7 hours. 

The addition of a SQUASHathon this year, proved to be a huge hit with 20 hours of organised squash activities. Raj Vadera of sponsors Care Monitors UK, managed to pull the activity together within a few weeks.  The Doubles Squash tournament provided many spectators with their first viewing of this fascinating, fast and sometimes hazardous version of the sport! Raj commented “I would like to say a massive thanks to our prize sponsors Fitbit and Tenscare, to Karakal & Berkshire Squash for the merchandise and to Tigers Day Nursery and Tigers Print for their donation. I am so pleased that the event well so well and thanks to everyone who played and supported this worthy charity.”

Other sporting events included cardio tennis, kids tennis, fastest serve and tennis pong. A games arcade organised by High Score Arcades, face painting, a raffle and tombola run by Netta Thorne and a range of sport-4-kids activities kept everyone entertained.  There was also a cake stall which was a sell-out!

 For the first time, the event included an evening Partyathon held on the outdoor tennis court which was a huge success and was attended by hundreds of supporters. Comedian Aaron James kicked off the evening with an auction which raised over £8,000. The evening included live music by The Lee Aaron band, a BBQ and gin bar run by David Lloyd and a raffle. Huge thanks to Arena for supplying the staging and to Chris Pearce for the party lighting and marquee.  A special thanks goes out to Clere Print and GazKaz for their support with marketing materials and merchandise.

 BBC Sports reporter and David Lloyd member, Mike Bushell carried out live coverage on Saturday for social media to raise awareness of New Life and spread the word about the event.  

On Sunday 15^th the event was marked by a presentation and award ceremony with TV Presenter Mark-Durden Smith presenting the awards.  Staff from Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital attended and talked about the transport incubator that they will now be able to buy which will be used to transport the sickest babies to other specialist neonatal units.

 CEO Trevor Goodall said ‘I am thrilled. After three years we were able to run this event again and it raised the most money of any event so far. The atmosphere was electric, the energy of all involved was inspiring and the support of everyone was incredible. I want to thank everyone involved with special thanks going to Lisa Cameron for organising and pulling the whole event together.’

Results for 2022

TENNIS MARATHON

Fastest Serve                 Mens     Josh Streak       102mph

Ladies    Millie Morgan     83mph

Kids        Danik Tame       45mph

New Life 24 Hour Tennis Match – Sponsored by Donnington New Homes and Azego

Team Donnington New Homes - 173 games        

Sponsored Players: Andy Prickett, Sev Knight, Steve Masters, Matt Morton

Team Azego - 172 games                                           

Sponsored Players: Samantha Marchelli, Rob King, Rhian Barnett, Hannah Antmann

24 Hour SPINATHON – 1200 miles “Tour de David Lloyd Clubs” 

Sponsored by Banjo Cycles

Most Miles Completed   - Jeremy Wray  45 miles

Mini Triathlon (2.5km run, 10km bike, 400m swim)

1^st Place              Sam Shopland                   32 mins, 50 secs

2^nd Place             Steve Masters                    35 mins, 47 secs

3^rd Place              Imogen Matthews              37mins, 15 secs

Junior                   Harry Crispin                     1 hour, 3mins, 58 secs

Squashathon

Sponsored by Care Monitors UK

Open Handicap Tournament        Winner:                Joshua Blunt

                                                     Runner up:           Ed Davies
                                                     Plate:                   Steven Babb

Open Doubles                               Winners:              Callum Greasley & Toby Moth

                                                      Runners Up:        Osbourne & Paul Vas Nunes

                                                       Plate:                  Gordon Adcock, Gary Preston

Player of the Tournament             Miguel Ferreira