Andy Jeffery began running ‘corridor tennis’ sessions at the Royal Marsden Hospital some years ago, bringing light relief to young patients with serious health problems.
He was initially funded to run two, ten-week courses but when funding ran out, he continued to offer the sessions on a voluntary basis in his spare time and has been doing so for the last four years.
“It’s very rewarding which is why I have carried on doing it,” Andy explains. “I run the sessions on a drop-in basis. I turn up in the morning and sometimes there are ten kids, sometimes just one or two. Some of them even come in on a drip.
“I adapt the activity to the children’s needs and energy levels. We play in a small, corridor area, practising using a racquet or hitting the ball to knock down targets. It provides mental stimulation and gives them a break from thinking about schoolwork or their treatment.”
Andy – who is 37 and lives in Epsom - admits that he sometimes gets a ‘lump in the throat’ seeing kids as young as three or four who are still smiling despite their challenges.
“When I go back to the office, I tell my staff that no-one is allowed to moan!” he chuckles. “Seeing what the children are going through really puts things into perspective.”
Cain, aged 9, is receiving treatment for stomach cancer. His mum comments, “He’s been quite poorly so it’s nice to see him up and playing. He loves sport.”
Fellow patient Alexander, aged 6, is on his fourth round of chemotherapy. His mum adds, “Seeing him active and living his life as normally as he can is great!”
Sutton Tennis Academy is run by charitable social enterprise GLL under the ‘Better’ brand. Supporting the wellbeing of local communities is an important part of the organisation’s ethos.
Local organisation Surrey Tennis has just announced more funding to allow Andy to keep working with kids at Royal Marsden.