The Wimbledon Foundation, the charitable arm of The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and The Championships, has launched a striking photography exhibition celebrating remarkable people from the boroughs of Merton and Wandsworth.
Champions of Merton and Wandsworth is a collection of 10 portraits by photographer Ben Queenborough celebrating 10 everyday heroes from the local community. The exhibition will be on public display on The Piazza in Wimbledon Town Centre from 6 to 20 May.
Portraits of Merton residents include Ava Little and Nathan Maraj who have both overcome personal challenges and draw on their own experiences to help others. Ava was just five years old when the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative (WJTI) visited her primary school in Mitcham and invited her to attend free weekly tennis coaching at the All England Club. Fourteen years later, Ava is a qualified Level 1 tennis coach and part of the WJTI team which visits state primary schools across Merton and Wandsworth, introducing children to tennis and the benefits sport can bring.
Ava said: “When I joined the WJTI, I was very shy and found it hard to socialise. Playing tennis helped me to come out of my comfort zone, develop my communication skills and feel confident in myself and around others. Seven years ago, I lost my brother, and tennis has really helped me with my mental health and to release any anger that I have. The WJTI helped me to believe that anything is possible, and I want to pass that on to the kids I’m now working with and tell them everything is possible and to never give up.”
Nathan Maraj has had to adjust to a new way of living after beginning to lose his eyesight in his twenties. Supported by Merton Vision, Nathan now helps others beginning their sight loss journey to adapt. Nathan said: “It’s been a good journey too. It’s not all doom and gloom. Losing my sight has given me new opportunities. Hearing from other people who are visually impaired about how to do things was such a help and now I try to share my experience to help others. I’m trying to make the best of losing my sight.”
Craig Hurring, Chief Executive of Love Wimbledon said:
We are honoured to have this special exhibition on The Piazza in Wimbledon Town Centre featuring the extraordinary work and contributions from people in our local community.
All images are ©Ben Queenborough/Wimbledon Foundation