Milton Keynes Ladies' Charity Table Tennis Event Raises £650 and Collects Over 100 Bras

On 6 September, Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre hosted its second annual ladies' charity table tennis tournament. Fourteen women, most of whom regularly attend the centre's monthly ladies-only sessions, took part. The event was organised by Julie Snowdon, a Table Tennis England staff member and secretary of the centre. It raised £650 for Breast Cancer Now and collected more than 100 bras for an Against Breast Cancer recycling programme. The tournament format included two group rounds, followed by a main event and a consolation final. Organisers placed a strong emphasis on fun and fair play, making it clear that the event was designed for enjoyment and awareness rather than high-performance results. The entrants were largely familiar with one another through the club's existing women-only sessions, which helped create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Julie Snowdon said the event was about using table tennis to connect women and raise awareness of breast cancer. In addition to the money raised for Breast Cancer Now, the old bras collected through the campaign will be recycled to generate support for Against Breast Cancer. The next ladies-only session at the centre is scheduled for 1 November, from 10am to 12pm. Although the tournament had no ranking points or professional competitive status, it demonstrated how grassroots table tennis can strengthen community ties and support a meaningful cause. The small scale of the event did not reduce its impact. Instead, it highlighted the importance of regular community sessions and locally organised charity competitions.