Fancy taking on the unofficial Kingsbridge and District Over 65s table tennis champion for Comic Relief?

Howard Smith, also known as Whiff Whaff Taff - from the old name for table tennis, is playing ping pong for ten hours straight to raise money for Comic Relief and to raise awareness for racquet sports, which could be under threat in Quayside.

There will be two activities taking place on Red Nose Day, Friday, March 24. On squash court two, you can challenge Howard to a match. Each match is a best of three games, and for every game he loses, he donates £1, for every one you lose, you donate £1 to Comic Relief.

Howard encouraged people to challenge him, saying: “How difficult can it be to beat a 69-year-old, four-eyed, bald, rugby-wrecked, creaky welshman, especially noting that he has to play non-stop for 10 hours?”

While you’re waiting to play in the ‘main event’, or afterwards, if the table tennis has whetted the appetite for racquet sports, have a knock with one of the Kingsbridge Squash Team in squash court one, organised by John Stevenson.

You can choose between either squash or racquetball. If you enjoy it, then you have a couple of weeks to get good before the annual Squash Championships!

All you need to bring is a pair of indoor shoes, such as trainers not covered in mud. Bats and racquets are provided, along with top tips. The sessions are open to all ages and abilities, and since it’s Red Nose Day, people are encouraged to wear red.

Howard added: “As well as the day being for fundraising for Comic Relief, it is also a day for all Kingsbridge and district people to show solidarity for our two squash courts.

“We understand that Fusion and South Hams District Council have indicated the possibility of the two squash courts being destroyed to make way for ‘more profitable’ activities. We, therefore, have to use the courts more frequently for not only squash and racquetball but other activities like table tennis and karate that can make use of the space.

“In that ‘usage’ way, we may change their minds.”

Howard will be playing table tennis at Quayside Leisure Centre between 11am and 9pm on Friday, March 24. You can find out more about Red Nose Day on the official website: www.rednoseday.com and you can contact Quayside Leisure Centre on: 01548 857100 or visit the website: www.quaysideleisurecentre.com