Second Milton Keynes women's charity table tennis tournament raises £650 and collects more than 100 bras for recycling

On September 6, the Milton Keynes Table Tennis Centre held its second annual women's charity table tennis tournament. Fourteen women took part, and the event raised £650 for Breast Cancer Now while collecting more than 100 bras for recycling through Against Breast Cancer. The tournament did not make headlines in the professional table tennis world, but it offers a clear example of how a local community can use sport to build social connections and support a meaningful cause. Julie Snowdon, a Table Tennis England staff member and secretary of the centre, organised the event. Rather than turning the day into a fiercely competitive contest, she used the centre's monthly ladies-only sessions as the foundation for a friendly, structured competition. The approach shows that a grassroots event does not need to be part of a national ranking system to have real value. The organisers explained that fun and fair play were the guiding principles. Players first competed in group rounds and were then placed into the main event or a consolation final. This format suits women with different skill levels. Stronger players still had the chance to compete for the main title, while less experienced players could enjoy several matches without being eliminated early. This structure lowers pressure and makes the event more welcoming for newcomers. One of the most creative aspects was the collection of more than 100 old bras for recycling. A bra that no longer has practical use for its owner can still generate funds for a breast cancer charity when it is recycled properly. The campaign also drew attention to the importance of breast cancer awareness among local women. These social benefits are difficult to measure with technical statistics, but they often leave the longest lasting impact. Julie Snowdon said she would continue to accept donations through her Just Giving page after the tournament day. This means the charity story is not over when the last point is played. People who could not visit the centre on September 6 can still support the cause online. For grassroots events, the ability to maintain donations after the competition is a key indicator of long-term community commitment. The ladies-only sessions at Milton Keynes are an important part of this picture. They give women a regular place to practise and build confidence. Next month's session is scheduled for November 1, from 10:00 to 12:00. This weekend morning time slot makes it easier for women to attend while balancing family and work responsibilities. From a technical analysis point of view, the event did not produce the kind of data usually found in professional table tennis coverage. There were no detailed statistics on serve efficiency or attacking shot rates. No player had to defend ranking points. No national team selection was at stake. But this gap is not a weakness. It reminds us that sport also exists at another level, where people come for health, connection and enjoyment. World table tennis is often discussed through elite players, advanced coaching systems and top-level tours. Yet below that elite layer, centres like Milton Keynes are sustaining grassroots participation. This second annual tournament shows how a local club can combine fundraising, recycling and sport without relying on high-level competitive outcomes. The real achievement is keeping a community engaged. One of the tournament's strongest features is its repeatability. The second edition has already happened, proving that the model works. Monthly ladies-only sessions provide a steady flow of participants. The amount raised and the number of bras collected may vary each year, but the centre has built an event that local women look forward to. This tournament will not put Milton Keynes on the world table tennis map, but it brings the sport closer to people who may never have imagined themselves playing competitively. When the women's group meets again on November 1, the important question will not be who becomes champion next year. The more meaningful question is whether the third edition will attract more new faces and whether this community-minded spirit can inspire similar events at other centres across England. If that happens, the £650 raised this year will become a genuine investment in the future of grassroots table tennis.