Advantage for table tennis group after lotto win
A Menstrie table tennis group has received a boost with lottery cash.
The group, Menstrie Senior Table Tennis Club, which has around 15 members, meets every week in the village’s Dumyat Centre.
It had been part of the Royal Voluntary Service’s ‘first Time for Everything’ programme which offers free activities to support physical and mental health, wellbeing and digital literacy which is backed by money from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Menstrie 70-year-old Bruce Elliot had joined the table tennis group earlier this year.
Bruce had been a keen table tennis in his youth, but when he got married, his priorities changed, and he put down his bat.
In March this year his daughter spotted a social media post on a free Rvs‘ first Time for Everything’ table tennis taster session at the Dumyat Centre and Bruce went along.
The session made such an impact that Bruce and others asked RVS activity coordinator Kimberley Gray if the session could become a regular fixture.
Bruce, a carer for his wife, said: “The ‘first Time for Everything’ taster session got me back into playing table tennis and made me keen to carry on playing.
“My daughters sit with my wife while I go to the club each week, and I really enjoy it.
“Playing table tennis is good for me physically and mentally as you must be fit and agile to think about your next move.
“It’s sociable too as we stop for a cuppa, a natter and a catch up. It gets me out and has helped me meet other people.”
Clacks RVS activity coordinator Kimberley Gray added: “menstrie Seniors Table Tennis Club is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when you plant a seed and empower people to keep going. That‘ first Time for Everything’ taster session was just the start and we are so grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for supporting its growth.”
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £16m for the Royal Voluntary Service since 2012 allowing them to help older and vulnerable people across the country.
To learn more about‘ first Time for Everything’ or other programmes offered by Royal Voluntary Service please visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org. uk