A table tennis club is aiming to raise £1,500 with 12-hour table tennis marathon as it aims to keep its venue open.

Cheslyn Hay TTC in Staffordshire has been going since 1974 and has been based at Salem Methodist Church since 1991.

More than 300 children have come through the ranks at the club, which also hosts popular Bat & Chat sessions and has several teams in the Walsall League and Wolverhampton & District League, as well as having been a TT Kidz venue.

However, the church’s rising energy bills and other costs means the club faces an uncertain future over the use of the venue.

Club secretary John Quinn organised the 12-hour marathon, which took place on Saturday and was attended by around 50 players.

A tombola on the day raised £205 and the target is £1,500 once sponsorship and other donations are added.

John said: “If we don’t keep the venue going, we’re going to lose Bat & Chat, TT Kidz and all the local league teams, so we’re trying to raise money where we can.

“We had a great response from members and lots of kids who came on Saturday are enrolling on TT Kidz as well.

“I opened up at 7.30am and closed at 8.15pm, so it was a very tiring day and I couldn’t walk when I got home on Saturday night!”

As well as donations towards running costs, John is appealing for help to buy more balls for the club.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so to the following account:

Cheslyn Hay TTC
Account number: 03469781
Sort code: 30 99 06

Alternatively, click here to contact John Quinn or click here to visit the club’s Facebook page.