Patricia Ferguson MSP is urging constituents to shed the Christmas pounds and raise thousands of pounds for charity by taking up the 'Great Big Racketball Challenge'.

The Maryhill MSP helped members of the Scottish National Squash Squad and staff from the Scottish charity 'Mary's Meals' launch the campaign in the Scottish Parliament on the 22nd December.

Challenge organisers, Scottish Squash, hope to use the first two months of 2011 to encourage schools, private clubs, sports centres and offices to take up the sport and raise money for 'Mary's Meals', the Scottish charity which seeks to send as many Malawian children to school as possible.

Challenge sponsors DUNLOP have agreed to provide £400 of sports equipment as a prize for the most creative sponsorship activity across four categories.

Patricia Ferguson MSP said:

"Racketball is a fast growing sport and this challenge can help people shed pounds and raise them at the same time for a very worthy cause.

"There are plenty squash courts across the country and given that it is played indoors our climate doesn't prevent people taking part.  There is huge potential for Racketball in Scotland.

"This is exactly the type of inititative we should all be getting behind to help improve our nation's health."

Abeer Macintyre, Mary's Meals Head of Supporter Care, said:

"The Scottish Squash and Racketball Association have a great idea to encourage people to help themselves, by getting a bit fitter in the new year, and to help the children that Mary's Meals supports at the same time.

"We are thrilled to be involved with the Great Big Racketball Challenge and are looking forward to its participants helping us to feed more hungry children in their schools in 2011."

Further information on the challenge can be found at:

http://scottishracketball.com/racketball-news/1/85