£110,000 raised towards repairing storm-damaged table tennis centre

Tuesday, 21 July 2026 07:00

By Harry Booth

It's hoped the home of table tennis in Jersey will reopen in September - two-and-a-half years after it was seriously damaged during Storm Ciaran.

The Geoff Reed Table Tennis Centre was one of many sports facilities impacted by the tornado and strong winds in 2023.

A fundraising campaign was launched earlier this year to rebuild the centre, which has now raised around £110,000.

A target of £120,000 was set when the fundraising campaign was launched.

The JTTA has been using Fort Regent since the devastation caused by the storm.

Paul Silcock, vice-president of the Jersey Table Tennis Association, said:

"Our fundraising has been a mixture of our members, to people off the cuff who've just been sending money into the table tennis centre, as well as the £110,000 of donations we've had from various charities and other funding bodies around the island"

Jersey Sport has donated £50,000 towards the project, as part of the first round of SPORT ACTIVATION funding.

35 sporting projects in Jersey have received a share of nearly £245,000, aimed at creating more opportunities for islanders to take part, progress, and enjoy sport and physical activity.

Other beneficiaries include:

Jersey Water Polo Association: £12,625 to grow junior and female participation while developing its coaching workforce
Jersey Surf Kayak Club: £1,886 to increase the number of qualified surf kayak leaders, strengthen coaching provision and create more opportunities for people to participate safely
Skateboard Jersey: £21,625 to expand community skateboarding sessions, develop coaches and support the organisation's continued growth

Mr Silcock added:

"To get £50,000 from Jersey Sport is a great way to come towards the end of our fundraising.

"We've still got a bit of fundraising to go, but I think we're now at the stage where we can at least move back in, get the table tennis built.

"We've eaten into our reserves a little bit, but hopefully we will be moving towards getting the final fundraising and the last few bits sorted out."