You can perfect your table tennis backhand topspin drive any time of the day or night during the annual Ping-Pong-A-Thon being held this month at the High Street Road Uniting Church in Mt Waverley to combat human trafficking and sex slavery.
There will be five tables set up for the event, which runs from noon on Friday October 28 through until 9pm on Saturday October 29.
The Ping-Pong-A-Thon, also known as ‘The Pong’, raises money for nine charities that are fighting human trafficking and sex slavery and helping those being exploited in south-east Asia.
Participants will be educated about the issue of human trafficking at the event, which has been organised by former High Street Road youth group member and church treasurer Stephen Lowe.
“I have played table tennis at the church club for 25 years, so when I heard about Ping-Pong-A-Thon, I thought I should get involved,” Mr Lowe said.
Since 2014, the High Street Road Uniting Church venue has raised $30,000.
Mr Lowe is not only among the top three fundraisers for the last two years, he is the event’s national treasurer.
“The Pong, was started by Melburnian Adrian Rowse, in 2011 with 15 guys playing for 24 hours and raising $10,000,” Mr Lowe said.
“The concept seemed to work, so we have kept growing it; last year 41 events nationwide raised $200,000 and this year we have 60 events planned across Australia.
“Ping-Pong-A-Thon events are open to any member of the public to participate in. Events are spread across the month of October, and each player only needs to register for one three-hour timeslot, at the venue of their choice.
“Anyone interested can go to the website (www.pingpongathon.com) to find a location to take part, or sponsor someone who is participating.”
Mr Lowe and two fellow participants also feature in a promotional online clip.
“We had a lot of fun making that clip … it took us all day! I have a new respect for movie stars having been through all the takes and retakes to get it right,” Mr Lowe said.
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