BLE 2014 to host Table Dennis charity table tennis match Brand Licensing Europe - August 2014

 
Brand Licensing Europe is supporting the launch of an innovative charity event, raising awareness of table tennis as an effective therapy for those suffering from Dementia, by hosting a themed ‘Table Dennis’ championship at this year's show in partnership with property owner DC Thomson Consumer Products, Bounce Alzheimer's Therapy (BAT) Foundation and Table Tennis England (TTE).

BLE has donated floor space for the games, which will feature a Beano themed table, players’ chairs, bats and balls, all illustrated with characters from The Beano including Dennis, Gnasher and Minnie the Minx.

Diane Jervis from the BAT Foundation explained “Clinical trials in both the U.S. and Japan have conclusively proven that table tennis reduces cognitive decline, increases spatial awareness, hand to eye coordination and proactively delays the onset of symptoms in the early stages of Alzheimer's. The BAT Foundation is currently raising funds to instigate a major U.K. body of research by the University of Northampton to qualify these findings.”

Championship players from Table Tennis England, together with sports personalities and celebrities, will be invited to take part in demonstration matches throughout the show. Exhibitors and visitors are also encouraged to join in, with TTE coaches on hand to offer professional tips.

Tim Collins, Head of Brands at DC Thomson Consumer Products said “We’re delighted to help and bring some fun to what is a very worthwhile cause.”

BLE Event Director Darren Brechin added “We are thrilled to be able to support such valuable research, and are particularly excited to see licensing being used in such an innovative way. Our BLE team is limbering up to compete against anyone up for the challenge!”

Brand Licensing Europe takes place from 7th – 9thOctober 2014 at Olympia, London. For more information please visit www.brandlicensing.eu and follow us on Twitter @bleurope or via LinkedIn.