Tennis marathon to raise funds for children’s mental health

May 14, 2021

Two sporty parents at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools will be raising awareness and funding for children’s mental health in a marathon tennis challenge next month.

Ben Llewelyn and Peter Wilson are partnering with the local charity, Ted Senior Foundation, to fund a new trial project in Monmouth’s secondary schools.

The Dawn til Dusk Tennis Challenge will last for 16 hours and 42 minutes with the duo inviting a host of people from all ages, abilities, and clubs to join them throughout the day.

Mr Wilson, an Old Monmothian, and Mr Llewelyn will be pushing themselves to the limit at Monmouthshire Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club, at Penpergwm, near Abergavenny, on Saturday 19th June.

“It has been a particularly difficult year for local children, especially those living in rural communities, cut off from their friends and usual distractions,” said the two dads.

“The funds we raise will be used to train and educate peers and teachers at Monmouth School for Boys, Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth Comprehensive School to spot signs of any emerging mental health issues amongst the school children.”

The Ted Senior Foundation is raising funds to train people in Mental Health Care, specifically for young people through the medium of sport.

A trial project at Bristol University found that a peer counsellor system can be extremely effective at providing a no-stigma pathway to support when children and students need it the most.

Mr Wilson has a son at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, while Mr Llewelyn has two sons and a daughter at the schools.

To pledge support for the pair’s epic tennis challenge, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dawntildusktennischallenge