More than 100 people raised over £3,350 during a 24-hour squash marathon for a long-standing North Yorkshire club member with pancreatic cancer.
Bedale Squash Club staged the non-stop challenge from 7pm on Friday, September 25, until 7pm the following evening in support of Paul Bell and Pancreatic Cancer UK.
The fundraiser has raised more than £3,350, over twice its £1,500 target, with club members and locals playing squash, baking cakes, cheering participants and donating.
Players took turns on court to keep the marathon going, completing more than 200 games in 24 hours.
The event began and ended with players using Paul's own squash racket in his honour.
Organisers said the marathon also featured “outrageous ‘windmill’ trick shots.
Several of Paul's close friends picked up a squash racket and tried the sport for the first time.
Junior player Owen Simpson put in the longest stint of anybody involved, playing for more than five hours during the marathon.
Ben Pilling, from Bedale Squash Club, said: "To see the club and community come together in support of one of its own will be a core memory that stays with us for a long time.
"Paul will forever be a part of Bedale Squash Club."
Paul has been a familiar face at the club for years. Friends have described him as a “lover of life, squash, motorcycles, music, friends and family”.
Before the event, friends spoke about Paul's popularity and the support shown to him and his family after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.
A message on the fundraising page set up in his name said: "Paul has always been a quiet man who probably doesn't realise how well liked he is.
"Since his diagnosis, so many people have reached out to me asking how he is and offering support for him and his family.
"Paul's involvement in so many things meant he inevitably had a very wide circle of friends.
"Having known him for many years, I, like many others, have enjoyed motorcycle riding, squash, walking and music with him.
"Always with a smile on his face and always willing to help anyone. Paul truly is one of a kind."
Paul helped plan the squashathon and was pleased it would raise awareness of pancreatic cancer while showcasing the squash club he loves.
Anyone could take part, whether or not they regularly played squash. A bake sale ran alongside the marathon, and supporters were urged to watch.
Pancreatic Cancer UK thanked everyone involved and said the money raised would help support patients and their families.
Read more
Friends to play 24-hour squash for North Yorkshire teammate with pancreatic cancer
Final £1m push launched for Sir Bobby Robson cancer research institute
Woman raises £8k in brother's memory just weeks after losing him to blood cancer
In a message to the club, the charity said: "It's been so incredible to see your community come together in support of Paul and his family, and we want to thank you for working so hard to raise such an impressive amount of money in honour of his journey.
"Your hard work will allow us to continue supporting pancreatic cancer patients and their families when they need us most, and we couldn't be more grateful to you all.
"Please pass our thanks on to everyone involved in making this event such a success; you've done so well and should all be very proud of yourselves."
Share