A local charity event in the West End is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes when it takes to the tennis courts next month.
Rally For Bally is being hosted by the Western Tennis Club on Hyndland Road on Saturday June 4th.
Three good causes are set to benefit from fundraising on the day, including the Elena Baltacha Foundation, which was set up by the Scottish tennis player and former British women’s No1 who died from liver cancer two years ago.
The other charities involved are Playlist for Life which was set up the television presenter Sally Magnusson to help people with dementia, and Cancer Support Scotland, which provides services for patients and their families in the West of Scotland.
Organisers are hoping to beat last year’s fundraising total of nearly £15,000 through ticket sales, a charity raffle and glittering star auction.
Celebrities including comedian and actor Sanjeev Kohli and former Scottsh footballer Alan Rough are expected to turn out to make the event a fun-filled day of sport, jokes, music and talks.
Food, which is included in the ticket price, is provided by the adjoining restaurant Caffe Parma.
Tennis coach Julie Gordon is one of the organisers of the event.
She said: “On the day we have a big 250-seater stand and a marquee. We have got a show court set out with lots of Beat The Coach, Return of Serve, and lots of other challenges to entertain people.
“We've got fantastic raffle prizes and auction prizes. We also have Spinning classes on site and there will be lots of activities for children on the day. Our coaches here will be offering free coaching for families to take part in as well.
“We will have live music as well as an interview with Sally Magnusson about Playlist for Life, to raise awareness about her charity.
“And then our pinnacle event of the day will be Celebrity Tennis where we have Alan Rough, Kaye Adams, Sanjeev Kholi, Judith Ralston, and Ian McCall taking part. So we've got all these guys coming together to play tennis for our entertainment.
“Last year Judy Murray swept in at about 5 o'clock and did some coaching with a group. We have asked her to come along again. But it is the French Open weekend that weekend, so hopefully she will be with us if she can.
“In the first year we did this we raised £10,000, and last year we raised nearly £15,000.
“This year we really want to top that, and so the more people who can come along to support on the day the better for us.”
Prices are £15 for adults and £10 for children. Tickets are available at www.jumblebee.co.uk/rallyforbally2016 and more details about the event can be found on the Western Tennis club’s website.
