Collingham Tennis Club hosts fundraising tournament in aid of Thomas Swan's brain tumour appeal

A tennis club held a tournament to raise money for brain cancer research.

Collingham Tennis Club, along with Southwell, Retford and North Scarle clubs, took part in a ladies’ tournament to raise money for the Thomas Swan brain tumour appeal.

A Collingham man and Newark and Sherwood District Council employee, Thomas Swan died of a brain tumour in 2020, aged 24 ­— three years after his diagnoses.

Before he died, he raised thousands of pounds for brain tumour charities and worked to raise awareness of symptoms in the hope that people would recognise the signs earlier and have a better chance of survival, prompting the tennis club to hold the fundraiser to continue his legacy.

Each of the 24 competitors paid a £6 entry fee, with the option to donate more. In addition, 10% of profits from a tennis equipment sale also went to the appeal ­— with the total coming to £352.

Event organiser and tennis player Yvonne Custance said: “It was a fun day with lovely hot weather to play.

“I suggested the appeal as my daughter and Thomas were a similar age.”

The Collingham Co-op contributed provisions for the event, with players enjoying Pimms and strawberries post-match.