Pupils from Parliament Hill School

Published: 8 August, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

PUPILS from Parliament Hill School are taking to the tables to perfect their ping pong skills after netting a very special gift.

The Highgate school was presented with two new outdoor table tennis tables as part of an initiative between the Jack Petchey Foundation and the England Table Tennis Association.

Now in its third year, the donation scheme is proving very popular with no fewer than 756 tables being given to more than 200 schools across the capital.

Dee Robins, head of PE at Parliament Hill, said: “We have eight indoor tables and now with the outdoor tables they are in use all the time. Plus we now have a table tennis coach too. They are a great addition to the school.”

The Jack Petchey Foundation was established in 1999 to recognise the positive contributions young people make to society and to support them in achieving their potential.

It has invested £85million in a wide range of 2,000 youth initiatives across London and Essex.

Jack Petchey, the 88-year-old founder, said he is passionate about giving young people freedom and opportunity.

“I’ve been a fan of table tennis since my own youth. It’s a fantastic sport for young people to play and this partnership is popular and growing.”

The next table donation scheme will be available in late autumn. For details, visit www.etta.co.uk/change4life