British tennis player, Katie Boulter, joined the Wimbledon Foundation at a special Christmas lunch for older individuals from the local community held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club yesterday.
In her role as a Wimbledon Foundation Champion, Katie joined 40 guests from four local charities – Age UK Merton, Age UK Wandsworth, Merton Goan Senior Citizens Association and Sparkle – who have each received funding and support from the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the All England Club and The Championships.
Katie and guests enjoyed a two-course Christmas lunch in the Champions’ Room, accompanied by musical entertainment and festive bingo. After lunch, Katie handed out Christmas gifts to all the guests, which included jars of Wimbledon honey gathered from beehives at the AELTC Community Tennis Centre in Raynes Park.
Katie said: “As a Wimbledon Foundation Champion, I’m delighted to be back at the All England Club serving the local community and spreading some Christmas joy to the guests in attendance. I am particularly passionate about supporting older people, so it’s been really special to meet four fantastic local charities supported by the Wimbledon Foundation and hear about the amazing work they do.”
Among the guests was Mavis, who joined Sparkle after losing her husband and son in a short space of time. The intergenerational community project meets weekly in three venues across Wandsworth borough and brings together younger and older people who become “grandfriends” through activities such as reading, crafts and gardening. Mavis describes Sparkle as a “lifeline from loneliness.”
Age UK Merton’s table included Anne who joined their singing group in 2023 after retirement left her feeling isolated and struggling with low mood. Anne now attends Age UK Merton activities three to four times a week and said: “When I joined the singing group, I immediately felt at home. The members made me feel so welcome and suggested I join other outings and activities. Age UK Merton has given me purpose to my days and has been really good for my mental health.”
The Wimbledon Foundation donates more than £4 million a year to charities, half of which goes towards projects in the local community of Merton and Wandsworth, which support people facing a wide range of issues including loneliness, food poverty and poor mental health.
Paige Murphy, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, said: “Through our grant programmes we’re proud to fund these organisations that provide vital support to older people living in Merton and Wandsworth. We hope that the Christmas lunch provides a moment of joy for older members of our community who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation at this time of year.”
