FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE. 6 MARCH 2019.

BRIGHT IDEAS FOR LAUNCHES BREAKPOINT 2019 TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH

Nationwide charity tennis challenge supported by the LTA and AELTC to fundraise for important cause

This summer, Robyn Moore, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, will aim to hit 200,000 tennis shots as she takes on the Breakpoint 2019 challenge to raise awareness of and raise funds for mental health. Supported by the charity Bright Ideas for Tennis, Robyn will play for a minimum of 8 hours per day for 30 consecutive days, hitting the ball 5 million metres to represent 1 metre for every adult individual in the UK who currently experiences mental ill health. Her tennis shots will be recorded by Swing™, an app that will track every ball she hits.

Acknowledging the benefits that tennis has for mental health, funds raised from Breakpoint 2019 will expand the Bright Ideas for Tennis programme, I Play 30, that provides free sessions to all disability groups throughout the UK, with a particular ongoing focus on mental health.

Breakpoint 2019 will begin on 1 June 2019 in Robyn’s home county of Hampshire and continue to over 46 venues across the UK. Each day will be a festival of tennis - open to the public to watch and participate. Through the support of the LTA, Robyn will play in parks, schools, tennis clubs, community centres and at some of the ATP and WTA season tournaments in the build up to The Championships, Wimbledon. Robyn will hit her final shots at the All England Club Community Sports Ground on 30 June, the day before Wimbledon 2019 commences.

“Regular participation in tennis has been shown to have significant benefits on people’s mental and physical well-being which is why it is so important that more people get involved in tennis at every age across the country”, commented Danny Sapsford, Charity Manager, Bright Ideas for Tennis.

Fundraising for Breakpoint 2019 has started and everyone across the UK is encouraged to get involved, Bright Ideas for Tennis is incentivising event organisers with the chance to win a visit from top tennis professionals.

For more information about Breakpoint 2019, please visit www.breakpoint2019.org, and to learn more about Bright Ideas for Tennis, please visit www.brightideasfortennis.org

- END - For more information please contact: Danny Sapsford, Charity Manager Abbie Probert, PR Manager [email protected] [email protected] 07986 880518 07764 407036 NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT ROBYN MOORE • Robyn Moore is 43 years old, from Hampshire. • Robyn was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 2016 following a serious sexual assault and plays tennis to help her feel more positive, less isolated, and meet new people.

ABOUT BRIGHT IDEAS FOR TENNIS • Bright Ideas for Tennis was set up in 2013 with the mission to increase tennis participation in the UK and to improve playing facilities. • Charity ambassadors include former GB #1 and ATP #4 Tim Henman, 2012 Wimbledon Doubles Champion Jonny Marray and 2015 Champion Dominic Inglot. • In the last 5 years the charity has helped over 200 venues in the UK and provided more than 5,000 hours of free community tennis. Facebook: @brightideasfortennis Twitter: @BItennischarity Instagram: @brightideasfortennis #takeheartgivehope