Polly want a racket? Mellis woman’s fundraising 12 hours on court

A 51-year-old Mellis woman has given Serena Williams a run for her money after serving up a mammoth fundraising tennis session in memory of her former boss.

Polly Allen took on and played with 22 different people from Wortham Tennis Club on Monday in doubles matches for 12 hours to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The compliance manager pushed her body to the limit in memory of Tony Rees, who she worked under for 23 years at SQN Clinical, in Diss.

Miss Allen played a total of 185 games, from 7am to 7pm, with only water breaks and the odd change of clothes in between.

Speaking the next day, Miss Allen said: “It went really well, though it was very tiring. Twelve hours is a long time just to stand still, let alone to run around a tennis court.

“We were really fortunate with the weather too, which was nice. I am feeling quite achy around the edges today though.”

It is the third year Miss Allen has taken on the challenge, but each year she has ramped up the difficulty; in 2020 she did six hours; last year, nine.

It is made all the more impressive given she had not picked up a tennis racket until November 2019.

“I’m built for comfort, not speed, and have never much enjoyed sports since leaving school,” said Miss Allen, who lives in Sunnyside.

“I took up tennis and it really clicked with me, and the Wortham Tennis Club members have been massively welcoming and supportive.”

Mr Rees died of cancer at the age of 61, prompting his loyal workforce, nicknamed ‘Tony’s Tribe’, to take on annual fundraising events – from open water swimming to baking – in his memory.

In total, they have raised more than £9,000 for a number of charities, including Priscilla Bacon Hospice, which cared for Mr Rees in the final months of his life.

Miss Allen, who joined SQN Clinical in 1999 and left this year, explained how the response of Mr Rees’ employees in raising that amount of money so far was a testament to his character as a boss.

“He was just awesome,” she said. “He understood people – he would challenge you because that was his job but he also made you feel like you were capable.

“He made you believe in yourself and gave you the opportunity to prove yourself.

“He was a great guy to be around – you could go to him with anything. An all-round inspirational, genuinely kind man.”

Miss Allen’s fundraiser has so far pulled in more than £1,300 for Cancer Research UK.

On the support she had from fellow players picking up a racket and to people who have donated so far, she said: “There is not a thank you big enough to them all.

“To those who have donated, the club for letting me use their courts and to the people that gave up their time to play – a couple of hours of tennis to them has meant so much to me.”

To donate to the cause, go online to www.justgiving.com and search for ‘Polly’s Tony’s Tribe 2022’.