Man raises £800 playing squash for 12 hours

A Stafford sports enthusiast has raised more than £800 for the Midland Air Ambulance by playing squash for 12 hours.

Andy Goode (centre front) with daughter Erin and Burton Manor members Robin Padmore and Colin Gallow who both played against him in the Squashathon, plus Karen Baker – air crew supervisor and critical care paramedic for Midlands Air Ambulance

Andrew Goode, 45, was on the court from 8am to 8pm at Burton Manor Sports Association and played games against 18 different club members, allowing just a five minute break every two hours.

Andrew, from Baswich, said: “I’m definitely sore and aching, but I actually enjoyed it and reckon I could have gone on for a bit longer. Thanks to all the Burton Manor players for their support, giving me a good game and cheering us on - and also family, friends and work colleagues for their kind and generous donations

“I’ll need a proper rest now, but it’s the least I can do, as this superb and invaluable life-saving organisation is entirely funded by charitable donations and deserves my support. I’ve had £230 in cash donations and we’ve still got the Midlands Air Ambulance charity buckets down at the club to count, plus I’m also leaving my donation page at justgiving.com/fundraising/andrew-goode4 open for a while, so if anyone else wants to contribute further that would be great, as it really will make a huge difference.”

Andy’s daughter Erin, 10, who also joined in the 12-hour squashathon adds: “It was great fun and I’m really proud of my Dad. He’s my hero but especially today as he really tried hard and kept going and raised a lot of money for this brilliant charity.”

The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity funds three helicopters serving Staffordshire, West Midlands, Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire & Welsh borders. Funded entirely by the public, it receives no Government or Lottery funding and £9 million is needed each year to keep it operational.