Funding our new fleet with 100 games of pool

In his back garden in Eltham on a sunny Sunday in May 2023, Matt attempted to clear a pool table 100 times by himself to raise money for London’s Air Ambulance Charity.

“I had the idea of clearing the table 100 times, which is 1,500 balls, so I set my fundraising target as £1,500,” said Matt. 

“I was aware of the charity’s appeal and wanted to help raise some money, but I’m far too old and unfit to run a marathon. So, I picked something I could do! Although after seven hours of playing pool by myself, I was shattered!”

This ‘marathon’ took Matt seven hours and 27 minutes to complete – “Every time I fail to clear I have to restart, so in total I broke the table 127 times!” – which is a little slower than his first attempt. Matt first took on the 100-game marathon 10 years ago, raising money for King’s College Hospital’s helipad build.

“My dad was a patient in the hospital and during visitations I saw the comings and goings of the hospital, one being the air ambulance having to land in a nearby park. When he passed, we wanted to raise money for the hospital and so helped in their mission for a helipad.

“It was a fitting way to remember dad as we used to play a lot of pool and snooker together.

“This year it was the 10th anniversary of Dad’s passing – and I wanted to help London’s Air Ambulance – so I did it all over again!”

With the garden gate open throughout the day, friends and family visited Matt during the seven hours of pool and donated to our cause, and Matt has surpassed his £1,500 target. We’re so thankful for his innovative fundraising.

He also challenges the next contestant:

“I would love for someone else to take on the 100 tables of pool challenge and try to beat my time! It would be great to see more people raise money in this way.”