YOUNG tennis players served up their best shots on Saturday (August 28) to help a local leukaemia sufferer in her race against time to find a bone marrow donor.

Scores of youngsters took part in a 12-hour tennisathon at Victoria Avenue Lawn Tennis Club in Bournemouth to raise nearly £3,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust, a charity that helps match potential donors with patients.

And playing alongside them was 20-year-old medical student and keen tennis player Michelle Olver, who was diagnosed with cancer in March this year.

The former Talbot Heath pupil must find a suitable bone marrow donor by early next year if she is to stand a good chance of a full recovery.

Michelle, who lives in Northbourne, said: "I know the only cure is a bone marrow transplant and I know there is currently no match for me in the world."

As well as raising thousands of pounds, organisers hoped the charity event would encourage potential donors to come to forward to help Michelle and other people in a similar situation.

The tennis club now plans to host a donor recruitment clinic on Friday, October 1.

Trust area manager Sharon Wells said: "Around 100 players took part in the event throughout the day and fund-raising has been absolutely phenomenal.

"Monies pledged on the day were £2,635 but we are sure it will top the £3,000 mark.

"A lot of people have already shown a great deal of interest in coming along to the donor clinic."

For more details, call 01202 526566.

People joining the Anthony Nolan Trust's register need to be aged between 18 and 40 and in good health.

Contact the charity's hotline on 0901 88 22 234 (25p/min) or log on to www.anthonynolan.org.uk

First published: August 31