ANDY Disney, head coach at Wiveliscombe Tennis Club, spent 12 straight hours on court on Sunday, July 23 to raise over £1,100 for the charity Dementia UK.

Andy, raised in Wiveliscombe and now living in Wellington, was supported by a total of 29 club members, family and friends throughout his 12-hour ‘Tennis-a-Thon’, covering almost 25 miles to raise £1,117 from sponsors.

The 33-year-old is well-known locally not only as a coach for adults and children at several clubs in the area, but also for running sessions at Taunton’s Blackbrook for wheelchair and partially-sighted tennis players.

“I registered 53,225 steps and burned over 3,000 calories for a wonderful cause,” said Andy. “And I drank almost 12 litres of water between 9am and 9pm on court.”

Club Chair Maggie Andrews, pictured with Andy at the start of his ordeal, said the whole club was proud of Andy and his achievement, with members signing up for slots throughout the day in the vain hope of taking advantage of his fatigue to score rare points against him.

Members with tennis racquets held high formed a guard of honour as Andy came off court at the end of the day to enjoy some of his mum Pat’s special cakes.

Wiveliscombe Tennis Club is open all year round, welcoming both members and non-members to enjoy an idyllic setting on the town’s Recreation Ground.