St Mary’s to Host Netball Tournament and Family Fun Day to Support Cancer Charity for Children

In support of the Kirsten and James Wallingford from Molesey, who’s son Asa, was diagnosed with Wilm’s Disease, a cancer which effects just 80 children in the UK every year, St Mary’s University, Twickenham opening its facilities on June 24th to raise funds for CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children.

The amateur netball tournament  - London Ninja Netball Festival - will raise money for the charity that supported the Wallingfords through their five-year-old son’s traumatic kidney cancer treatment, which he has since defeated.

The day, which aims to include families from the surrounding local area, and is free to attend, aims to keep the entire family entertained, and fed and watered with a gourmet grill, falafel stand, ice cream and a bar.

In addition, players and their families who deserve a break after their competitive efforts, St Mary’s campus will also feature a big outdoor screen showing the tennis at Queens.

Especially for children, St Mary’s will also host a bouncy castle, ninja agility course and other games – also open to willing adults.

Kirsten Wallingford is the driving force behind the London Ninja Netball Festival, with the help of her amateur netball teammates from Teddington Swans Netball club. The tournament will use a round robin format with teams playing in pools and going through to play offs.

Ammi King, Senior Lecturer at St Mary’s, commented: “I’m delighted our University can support such a worthy cause – and hope we can raise vital funds for the charity on the day.

“St Mary’s is already a big part of our local community – hosting a huge number of events from School Sports Days to ‘Man with a Pan’ a programme helping the older men in the local community plan and cook nutritious meals.

“We’ve got our fingers crossed for a sunny day on Saturday, with family fun, lots of entertainment and some healthy competition.”

CLIC is a UK cancer charity for children, which fights tirelessly for young lives suffering from cancer by providing social care, emotional support and advice.

Based in Strawberry Hill, St Mary’s is London’s safest university. Known for its excellence in sport, St Mary’s saw 23 athletes attend the Rio 2016 Games, winning nine medals, which would rank the University as the 25th country in the world in the Olympics.