Players set to serve up funds

Tennis players around the country are being asked to raise funds for a West Midlands children's charity.

Serve for Dreams is the brainchild of former Wolves star Don Goodman and is taking place on July 14 and 15.

The ex-striker is asking clubs to make donations of up to £50 to Promise Dreams, the city charity which makes wishes come true for terminally ill children.

Adult members are being asked to donate £2 per person to use tennis courts during the weekend.

Children are also being encouraged to get involved by collecting sponsorship for every hour they play tennis on fundraising days.

Steve Bull and city vocal group 4Sure helped launch the fundraising drive at Newbridge Lawn and Tennis Club. Don said: "I retired from football four years ago and struggled to find something to replace it.

"Then I found tennis and fell in love with it. It brought me in to contact with umpire Om Dass and we thought of this project together."

The weekend is being officially supported by the sport's governing body the Lawn Tennis Association and is also being backed by celebrities such as Robert Plant, Nick Hancock and Radio 1's Chappers.

Don said it would be the first event to promote Promise Dreams in the country.