Cowdroy Completes 24-Hour Snooker Challenge for the NHS

Just like all other major sports, snooker has been brought to a sudden halt by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, but we’ve still been treated to some green baize action courtesy of youngster Bradley Cowdroy, who completed a special self-imposed challenge to raise funds for the National Health Service last weekend.

Playing on a full-sized table in his parents’ house where he lives in Bournemouth, teenager Cowdroy set himself the task of playing snooker for 24 consecutive hours, only momentarily stopping for food, drink and toilet breaks.

A former English under-16 finalist in 2016 and a competitor on this season’s top tier Under-21 Premier Development Tour, ‘Ironman’ Cowdroy started the marathon on Saturday morning at 10.00am and successfully went the distance, completing the challenge on Sunday morning before going for a well-deserved rest. During the event – which was livestreamed and watched by many on Facebook – Bradley set himself a schedule that included routines, trick shots and recreating several classic shots. 

In aid of the NHS Charities Together Appeal, Bradley had an initial target of £1,470, but this marker has been smashed as his current total is around £2,700 – nearly double!  

“When you’re turning on the TV and seeing hundreds of people losing their lives daily it does make you think about things a lot more. Since school ended, I’ve not had a great deal to do so I wanted to make myself useful and decided I wanted to try and make a difference. Incorporating snooker into it with my table at home just seemed the logical thing to do.” said Bradley after his sleep. 

“I’ve taken part in charity events before but nothing that I’ve organised myself or has lasted 24 hours. I was adamant that I wanted to do it and give back to the NHS for all their amazing work. Both my parents and brother were brilliant helping me to organise the event and spreading the word around – my dad stayed up with me for the duration of the challenge. 

I was a bit nervous for the first hour or so, but then I was really up for it all the way until about 2am when I hit a bit of a brick wall emotionally and physically, but there was no way that I wasn’t going to finish it. 

To everyone who donated and supported me, I honestly can’t thank you all enough. We’ve raised over £2,700 so far which is incredible, and it will make such a difference to those that are doing everything to keep us all safe. 

I’d urge everyone to keep following the government guidelines to stay home. Hopefully we’ll all get back to normality sooner rather than later and be able to get playing and competing again.” 

The English Partnership for Snooker and Billiards has donated £250 for Bradley’s amazing efforts. If you are in a position to do so, you can donate via this link here.

Congratulations Bradley – we are all proud of you!