Due to safety standards, Thorncliffe Tennis Club, a non-profit organisation mostly run by volunteers, will be forced to shut down if they cannot raise enough money to resurface their courts.
The club is urging residents to help save the club by donating to its Crowdfunder.
Due to safety standards, the club will be forced to shut if they are unable to raise enough money to get their courts resurfaced.
John Stanton, 59, who has been a member for over 30 years, believes tennis can be an outlet for mental health struggles. He said: “I’ve got an 88-year-old father who has terminal cancer so the club is a godsend for me.
“You can come out and forget about your problems for an hour.”
Other tennis clubs in Sheffield, including Hallamshire, Fulwood and Ecclesall have all been thoroughly financially supported but Thorncliffe’s “little tennis club has been forgotten.”
Although it only has 60 members, the club is a vital part of the Thorncliffe community. It has been serving the community for 73 years and members would like the club to remain a significant part of the High Green community as it is the only club in north Sheffield.
It aims to raise £54,000, with Sports England pledging £17,500 to the organisation once it achieves 30% of the target amount.
Cheryl Lunn, 60, the club’s secretary, has been a member since she was a teenager and feels a deep connection to the club. She said: “We just want to make sure the club continues to survive, that’s all we ask”.
The club does its best to keep membership fees low to encourage people of all ages and all backgrounds to get involved. The oldest member is Eric Smedley, who is 92-years-old and has been playing there every week for 73 years.
To donate to Thorncliffe Tennis Club go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/court-resurfacing
