June 2021 - Newsletter  

Greetings from our President Elaine Paige OBE

Hello Everyone,

I’m writing this as we take another step forward with the next stage of lockdown easing for the UK.  I still can’t quite believe how much we have all been affected.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next time I write this welcome intro to the Dan Maskell Tennis Trust newsletter, we shall be experiencing life as we knew it a short while ago!

Unfortunately, our major fundraising efforts have been curtailed once again with the cancellation of our annual Celebrity Golf Challenge for a second year running.  It is such a shame as everyone always has such a great time and it raises a lot of funds for the trust.  There’s also no ticket resale at Wimbledon this year so that too will have an impact on the income we have come to rely on.  

So, I make no apology for appealing for help – if you can make a donation; support an event; remember us as you do your online shopping – whatever you can do will help us to continue our work. (Various ways how you can help appear in this newsletter.)

However, we still have been busy doing new things and planning future events and of course most importantly, offering support to disabled tennis players via our grant programme. 

One new project, which I have recently been involved, is our new series of podcasts which will go live just before Wimbledon.  I had the wonderful opportunity of speaking with broadcasters who are all connected with the Trust – John Barrett the Trust’s first President who has just celebrated his 90th birthday, Wimbledon Champion Virginia Wade and former British No. 1 and commentator Sam Smith.   We spent a great afternoon recalling some wonderful memories of Dan Maskell’s life.  It was such fun and I loved it!  You’ll be able to hear this podcast, along with some others especially made for the Trust, very soon!  We’re hoping these podcasts will help bring a new generation to the Dan Maskell Trust, by making Dan ‘cool’ again, as well as entertaining you all - our current supporters!

You can find out all about the above, plus the work we do including some great case studies, find links to our social media and YouTube channel by visiting: www.danmaskelltennistrust.org  And you can help spread the word by sharing this link with family, friends and fellow tennis enthusiasts.

In signing off I wish you all a healthy & fantastic summer, lots of tennis with Wimbledon & more on the TV and not forgetting the Paralympics to cheer on the GB team in August!

Stay safe and let’s all help to make Covid a ‘memory’ ... excuse the pun!

Elaine's website

Coming Up - New Podcast Series

As Elaine mentions, we have embarked on an exciting new project and ventured into the world of podcasts! This project has been managed and produced by Liz Terry as part of her work for the Trust and we hope you will enjoy these.

(Alice Dyer top right and LuSu ladies bottom right, feature in the podcast series.

Thanks to our Vice-President Sam Smith for her brilliant hosting and to everyone who took part. 

We shall publicise when these are "live" but in the meantime, for a taster of what is involved in each one, click HERE

Grants   

The Trustees held their second meeting of 2021 and once again, the level of applications for grants remains at similar levels to previous years.  This is very encouraging as it demonstrates that disability tennis is active, albeit some programmes have been delayed in starting up.  It has also kept Lorna busy processing the 28 applications which were considered and over £20,000 was committed in principle. 

We received requests for equipment from several SEN (Special Educational Needs) Schools and hope to link in with the LTA's new LTA Youth Schools Initiative which provides free online training for Primary School teachers, followed up with a £250 voucher to be used for equipment or coaching.  (This will be available to secondary schools from September). 

"Virtual" Golf Tournament

Having had to cancel our annual Celebrity Golf Challenge for the second consecutive year, we wanted to keep in touch with our golf supporters so we are offering a virtual Golf Tournament for you to play at a course of your choice during a two-week period in September - the 11th to the 25th . There will be an entry fee of £20 per person, with prizes for winner and longest drive competition.  There will be a virtual prize-giving on 7th October, hopefully hosted by Marcus Buckland (subject to work commitments). For further information click HERE you will also find a registration form 

Coachathon Fundraising initiative relaunched

The Coachathon is a marathon of coaching aimed not only at raising funds but also to benefit venues by increasing awareness, additional revenue via new members and to highlight the work of coaches. It can be used to raise funds for the venue as well as the Trust so if where you play would like to give it a go please see full details and how to register and receive a free fundraising pack HERE

Learning Disability Lockdown Sessions

Liz Terry organised two ZOOM group calls for LD players to bring them together during lockdown with a focus on tennis.  The first session was aimed at players with a higher level of learning disability and Liz was joined by the founders of LuSu Sports who did a fantastic job entertaining the group as well as getting them active.

For the second session Claire McCulloch from the LTA and Lesley Whitehead, an LD Tennis specialist presented to a group with a higher tennis ability. Both groups really enjoyed themselves and we received lovely feedback from parents. We followed up with a series of 4 videos with tennis activities for the players to do at home. Lesley Whitehead demonstrated these activities which are on our YouTube Channel. 

Lily Mills - pictured - one of GB's top LD players and a DMTT Ambassador

Recreational Wheelchair Tennis Doubles Tournament

This event has also had to be cancelled for the second successive year, but we are intending to run it again in 2022 - probably at Gloucester with the most likely date being the first May Bank Holiday.  

Appeal

As Elaine mentions in her introduction, the pandemic has hit everyone hard.  We are trying very hard to keep up the level of support for disabled tennis players and if you can help in any way, we would be most grateful.

For ways to donate - 

General Donations

We always have a JustGiving appeal available - Click HERE 

Shopping

For shopping - two great sites you can sign up to and select Dan Maskell Tennis Trust as your charity for support.

Sign up for an account with Easyfundraising HERE

Then use it when shopping or if you’re planning to go on holiday, did you know you can raise funds for the Trust when you book?

Holiday Bookings
 
Whether you’re booking your 2021 summer holiday, or a short-getaway, if you book via easyfundraising on TUI, Booking.com, Expedia, First Choice, Hotels.com, Cottages.com, HomeAway easyJet holidays, PurpleParking plus 250+ other well-known travel companies, you’ll raise free funds for us at no extra cost to you.
 
You can also raise money by booking your airport parking, transfers and even your foreign currency and travel insurance! Find out more HERE 

Buying for business?

If you are have responsibility for business purchases, you could really help the Trust - please consider HERE

Another shopping Site - do you use Amazon (who doesn't?)

Amazon Smile works in a similar way - visit https://smile.amazon.co.uk and use your usual Amazon credentials to sign in.  Just make sure you go to that site rather than the usual Amazon site, and every time you shop Amazon will pay donate to us. 

There is also PayPal or CAF Donate if you prefer a simple donation or we can give you our BACS details for a bank transfer.  We can also let you have a Gift Aid claim form to make your donation go further.

New Charitable Partner announced

The Trust is delighted to announce a new charitable partner. Launching in June, EXEAT is a luxurious new tennis clothing brand inspired by the dazzling allure of the grass court season. Each piece is conjured from an advanced technical sustainable fabric that powerfully supports play whilst preserving the planet with an ultra-low carbon footprint. To launch their new brand EXEAT has offered to donate 100% of profits from their limited edition T-shirt styles and continue to donate via other specialist items. For further information on the brand, visit their website.

Looking Ahead to 2022

Online donation book in memory of Dan Maskell

Amazingly 2022 will be the 30th anniversary of Dan Maskell’s death. We want to celebrate his life and our project to do this will be an online donation book. It will also provide a fundraising opportunity - donations to include a memory of Dan whatever that might be. Supported by Dan’s daughter Robin, we already have some great content lined up and are seeking support across the tennis family. Look out for further details towards the end of this year. The book will be launched to coincide with the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.