By Nick Butler

Wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott is attempting to play for 24 hours straight for charity ©Getty ImagesAustralian wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott is seeking to play for a world record 24 consecutive hours in a bid to raise money for two charities that helped him as a child.


The 23-year-old, a Paralympic gold and silver medallist in wheelchair basketball before switching sports after London 2012, is hoping to raise AUD$100,000 (£55,000/ $85,000/€68,000) for the Starlight Foundation and Variety, a charity supporting disabled children.

Both bodies helped him overcome the challenge of growing up with a rare tumour wrapped around his spinal cord.

The attempt is due to take place on December 11 at Melbourne Park, where he will compete alongside other sporting figures, including tennis player Nick Kyrigos, women's basketball star Elizabeth Cambage and a Aussie rules players Jack Watts and Tom Hawkins.

Along with a number of family members, non-sporting celebrities will also participate, including actress Olympia Valance.

Australia's teenage tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon this year, will be among those participating in the marathon ©Getty ImagesAustralia's teenage tennis star Nick Kyrgios, who knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon this year, will be among those participating in the marathon ©Getty Images



"I've decided to go for a 24-hour world record of wheelchair tennis, it's a pretty ridiculous idea to be honest," said Alcott, a quad singles winner at this year's British Open.

"When I was 10 years old, I spent the first six months of the year bed ridden after complications occurred during surgery.

"Depressed and upset, the Starlight Foundation came to my rescue and granted my family and I the wish to swim with the dolphins at Sea World on the Gold Coast, it was a truly once in a lifetime experience.

"Variety, the children's charity, a charity for kids with disabilities, saw me using a borrowed tennis wheelchair that didn't fit me, so they raised the money to get me a new one.

"Without them I don't think I would be the Paralympic gold medallist and that I am today."

Alcott is hoping to put the money raised towards helping other Australian youngsters who suffer from illness, or living with an impairment, so they can achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

"Having a disability can be very hard, especially for kids growing up as I experienced first-hand," he added.

"The donations will assist in granting wishes for sick children and purchasing equipment such as wheelchairs to enable them to live better lives."

"Twenty-four hours, I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I've always wanted to give back to these charities that helped my family and I so much when I was a kid."

More information on how to donate can be found on Alcott's "24-hours of Tennis" fundraising page here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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