Second Milton Keynes Ladies Charity Table Tennis Tournament Raises £650 and Collects More Than 100 Bras for Recycling

On September 6, Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre in England hosted its second annual ladies charity table tennis tournament. Fourteen women, many of whom regularly attend the centre's monthly ladies-only sessions, took part in an event designed around fun, fair play and community spirit. By the end of the day, £650 had been raised for breast cancer support and more than 100 bras had been collected for recycling. The tournament was organised by Julie Snowdon, a Table Tennis England staff member and secretary of the centre. She transformed a simple club event into a meaningful community action, showing that sport can be a vehicle for social good without needing world rankings or big prize money. The format included group rounds leading to a main event and a consolation final. This ensured that every participant, regardless of ability, could play several matches and feel valued. The decision to hold a consolation final reflects a philosophy that sport is not only about winning but also about participation, encouragement and belonging. The bra collection was an unusual but clever addition. Unwanted bras were gathered for recycling, helping to raise additional funds for breast cancer charities. This combined environmental awareness with social responsibility, giving the event a distinctive character. Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre has built a welcoming space for women through its monthly ladies-only sessions. The high number of entrants from those sessions shows continuity and trust. Events like this can attract new players, strengthen community ties and encourage women to prioritise their health. Julie Snowdon's role as both a national governing body employee and a local club secretary highlights a close link between sports administration and grassroots activity. This model allows national bodies to support local community engagement effectively. The next ladies-only session will take place on November 1, from 10am to 12pm. Donations are still welcome through Julie's Just Giving page, meaning the impact of the event continues beyond the competition itself. Although the tournament has no impact on official rankings or professional pathways, it demonstrates an important truth: community sport matters. The £650 raised and the more than 100 bras collected are not huge numbers in financial terms, but they represent genuine care, connection and the quiet power of people coming together for a cause.