Andy and Kim Murray offer Fred Perry tennis ball to public in aid of cancer hospice which treated fan

This article originally appeared on Culture24.

Andy and Kim Murray offer unique treasure from tennis history in aid of hospice which cared for fan who gave it to rising star

When she watched Andy Murray practise at a tennis club more than ten years ago, lifelong tennis fan Gail Sargent was so impressed by the young Scotsman’s potential that she decided to bequeath him a special gift.

Sargent, who was suffering from ovarian cancer, had been given a set of three white balls by the legendary Fred Perry when he visited Maresfield Tennis Club, in Sussex, in 2004. A year before his death, the man who won three consecutive Wimbledon titles between 1934 and 1936 signed each of them.

After they resurfaced in his family home following his victory at the championships in 2013, Murray instantly decided to keep one ball, give another to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum and sign the third for an auction in honour of the St Peter and James Hospice, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and cared for Sargent prior to her death in 2010.

“I am incredibly grateful to Gail for the gift she gave me all those years ago,” says Murray, who has co-organised the sale with his wife, Kim, having witnessed his friends and fellow tennis players Elena Baltacha and Ross Hutchins battle cancer.

“It didn’t seem right to just keep them hidden away. So many people are touched by cancer, so I’m really hoping we can raise a lot of money with this raffle.”

The only known piece of tennis memorabilia to be signed by two of Britain’s great Wimbledon champions has not been given a price by auctioneers. Tickets are available for £1, with runner-up prizes including entry to the display, one of Murray's t-shirts and a Wimbledon towel.

Curators at the museum say they are “extremely honoured” to be exhibiting a small sphere of sporting history and supporting an important cause.

“This unique prize and raffle mean so much to us in our 40th anniversary year,” says Colin Burgess, of the hospice.

“Fundraising is vital to us as the majority of financial support comes from our community.

“There are fantastic prizes in the draw and I hope people feel encouraged to buy raffle tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

• Visit raffleplayer.com/andymurray to take part. The winner will be drawn on July 12 2015.

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Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/art531005-andy-and-kim-murray-offer-the-public-fred-perry-tennis-ball-given-to-them%20by-fan-in-aid-of-cancer-hospice