Every year SE Tigers basketball club hold a charity basketball tournament ‘Ball 4 Life’ for a good cause. This year was an obvious choice when Local charity ‘Help Leo Walk’ asked the Tigers to help raise funds for Hastings youngster Leo Leyland.
Leo suffered a pre-birth hemorrhage in his brain and was diagnosed with Hemiplegia on his left side, a form of cerebral palsy, and high muscle tone in the affected side, the charity was set up to help with Leo’s medical expenses.
The tournament, held on Sunday July 10th, was well attended by players from across the south east. There were also some players from other countries in attendance and ex-British Basketball League member Tayo Odulaja made an appearance to support the proceedings.
Eight teams competed in the main event with the Summer Madness team from Brighton becoming the eventual champions. A three point shoot-out competition was also held, won by Kobe Griffiths with an impressive display of accuracy from distance. The day showed a high standard of Basketball and demonstrated the depth of talent in the region.
The day was topped off with a BBQ for all players and spectators. This helped to bring in more funds and the total raised at the end of the day was £700.
Tigers head coach Hung Li said “I am so happy we could help a local charity and promote basketball in the south east at the same time. This is our third year of running Ball 4 Life and we are dedicated to be bigger and better every year. I would like to thank all the volunteers that helped make the event happen. If anyone has ideas for charities/events in the future or would like to get involved then just get in touch”
Anyone wanting to donate to ‘Help Leo Walk’ go to http://www.treeofhope.org.uk/leos-story-help-leo-to-walk/.