Milton Keynes women's charity table tennis tournament raises £650 for breast cancer charities

The second annual ladies' charity table tennis tournament at Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre took place on 6 September. Fourteen women, most of whom attended the centre's monthly female-only sessions, competed in a format designed around fun and fair play. The event raised £650 for Breast Cancer Now and collected more than 100 bras for recycling with Against Breast Cancer. Organiser Julie Snowdon, a Table Tennis England staff member and centre secretary, said the main goal was to support people affected by breast cancer while providing a welcoming sports space for women. No ranking points, prize money or advanced player statistics were involved. The absence of competitive data reflected the event's true purpose: grassroots participation, charity fundraising and community building. This local tournament shows how table tennis can be used as a social tool. Regular ladies-only sessions provide a stable base of players, and the charity event gives them a low-pressure reason to compete. The next women's session is scheduled for 1 November, between 10am and 12pm, and donations remain open through Julie Snowdon's Just Giving page. The lasting impact of this event may not appear in rankings, but in the growing number of women who return to the centre to play.