A table tennis club has raised thousands for Children in Need by playing table tennis for 24 hours straight.

The West End Seniors Table Tennis Club proved they had the stamina at the Hilldene Centre in High Street, West End over the weekend - including their oldest member David Jacobs, aged 90.

Starting on Saturday at midday - cheered on by the Mayor of Southampton - the charitable bunch played through the early hours, saw the sun rise and celebrated at 12pm yesterday with Pudsey the Bear.

They have raised £3,000 already of a £5,000 target, adding to a hefty total of charity fundraising over the years.

Club President John Bloodworth said: “I’m immensely proud the club has come so far and we have been able to raise a staggering amount of money.

“I hope this club will live on and continue spreading our charity work and love of the sport.”

Club Chairman, Steve Johnson, 68, and John, aged 83, are the only two original members of the club since it was formed in 2012.

Steve said: "In total we will have played more than 500 games in 24 hours.

“We have taken it in long shifts and it has been very tiring but it’s all for charity, keeping active when at an older age and uniting over our love of the game.

“I want to say a big thankyou to all the local business who offered raffle prises and refreshments such as David Lloyd, ASDA and The West End Brewery.”

Daily Echo: Club Chairman Steve Johnson and Club President John BloodworthClub Chairman Steve Johnson and Club President John Bloodworth (Image: NQ)The group meets every Thursday afternoon for two hours of table tennis and for the last six years they have hosted an annual event to raise money for charity.  

Steve said: “We are a group with a huge range in ability – some players have been playing for years and play in Southampton division one tournaments.

“Others are picking up the bat and ball for the first time."

Daily Echo: The group played in shifts for 24 hoursThe group played in shifts for 24 hours (Image: NQ)John explained the genesis of the club: “I lived in Poole and moved to Southampton in 2011. In Poole they had a community table tennis club for retired people that I enjoyed.

“When I moved here and found they didn’t have a table tennis club I thought I need to do something about this.

“I got help from Eastleigh Borough council who were fantastic in supporting and funding us.”

The club has 32 members, 20 of which play each week.