Helping sporting clubs and charities is Garry Renshaw’s passion.
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Renshaw’s latest effort has been to sell raffle tickets at last week’s Margaret Court Cup and raise more than $700 for the Margaret Court Tennis Foundation.
The money has gone straight to the foundation to help children in developing countries learn how to play tennis.
“I don’t play tennis or anything, I just do it to help people,” Renshaw said.
“I’ve been helping people for years and it makes me happy.”
Margaret Court Tennis Academy coach Phil Shanahan accepted the cheque.
“We wouldn’t be raising this much money if it wasn’t for this guy,” Shanahan said.
“He’s a gem and does so much for the community, especially with us, St Pat’s, and Pink Ribbon Day.
“You could say he’s the fund-raiser for Albury-Wod- onga.
“The money will go towards supplying racquets and tennis balls for clinics the foundation puts on.
“Margaret goes off to countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and East Timor, places where some of the kids have never seen a tennis ball and helps teach them the game.
“Sometimes the foundation also sponsors some of the kids to come out here and play, so the money goes to supporting them as well.”
Shanahan, who is Court’s nephew, knows the importance of giving people every opportunity to succeed.
“When Margaret was young, she wanted to go to Melbourne to play tennis but, if my mother hadn’t already been living down there, there’s no way my grandma would have let her 15 year old daughter do that alone.”
“Thankfully, mum was there and Margaret was able to go down, but if she hadn’t, Margaret may have just been a secretary here in Albury or something like that.”
Court went on to win 24 grand slam events and is one of the Australia’s greatest players.
“It’s all about giving people opportunities — you never know what could happen,” Shanahan said.
To help support the Margaret Court Tennis Foundation or for more information go to mctennis.com.au.