An inspirational pickleball enthusiast has made a £620 donation to a hospital charity.

Elaine Shallcross raised the money for ELHT&Me, the charity of East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

The funds will go on to the benefit the Royal Blackburn Chemotherapy Unit, a cause close to Elaine's heart.

Pickleball is described as a mix between tennis and ping pong and sees players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a three foot-high net.

Elaine, an avid pickleball player, first discovered the sport during a winter holiday in Thailand back in 2014.

She decided to introduce pickleball locally in Lancashire and established a group catering to individuals over the age of 50 at St Peter's Sports Centre in Burnley.

As the popularity of pickleball increased in the region, the North West Association of Pickleball was formed.

Three years ago, Pickleball England was established and there are now more than 40 clubs and groups delivering more than 100 sessions each week across the country.

In recognition of her outstanding service to pickleball, Elaine was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours List.

Elaine's journey took an unexpected turn when she was devastatingly diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram appointment in October 2019.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Elaine described it as "brutal," but credits pickleball as "an incredible distraction and a true lifeline". 

She says that the sport has been instrumental in her recovery, providing her with renewed strength and optimism. 

Demi Houghton, Digital Fundraising Officer at ELHT&Me, said: "It was a pleasure to meet Elaine.

"She is a truly inspiring individual for so many reasons and we are grateful for her support of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital's chemotherapy unit which will enable their service to go above the NHS funding to enhance the experience for patients on a similar journey to Elaine."

Anyone interested in finding out more about Pickleball can contact Elaine at elaineshallcross@pickleballengland.org.

Local sessions are available throughout East Lancashire, Clitheroe, Burnley, Pendle, Mellor, Longridge, Preston, Chorley.