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He may be pushing 100, but that doesn’t stop Arthur Green challenging anyone and everyone to a game of table tennis - and usually beating them.
The 99-year-old, a regular at Age UK’s centre in Cliftonville, sometimes takes on two opponents at a time, with staff joking that he frequently wears them out.
The sprightly pensioner, who ran a youth club in his younger years, says the sport keeps him young and happy.
“It makes me feel like I still have some use,” he admitted.
“It’s very important to me. Ever since I was a boy I played.
“It exercises my brain as you have to think quickly and it keeps me on my feet.”
Children from Drapers Mill Primary Academy in Margate regularly visit the hub and Arthur teaches them how to play.
“I like being useful,” he said.
“I ran a youth club for 27 years and I’d play table tennis, so it’s good to do it again.”
Arthur says the centre, run by Age UK Thanet - Thanet Extra’s charity of the year - is his life now.
'I get to meet people and make friends - it’s a way of life for me now' - Arthur Green
“If I didn’t have it I would be sitting indoors by myself just looking at the four walls,” he said.
“Here, I get to meet people and make friends - it’s a way of life for me now.”
The table tennis table was brought in following a request by Arthur and paid for through legacy money left to the charity in a will.
The organisation has also been able to pay for crucial services, such as vans for its meals on wheels service, Buddy Box, through legacy funding.
Joanne Spiteri, fundraising manager, says the difference the money can make is crucial.
“The buddy box scheme is a saving grace for some people,” she said.
“Or even with Arthur, the difference it has made to him is priceless.”
Lou Collins, volunteer co-ordinator, says a suggestion box has been set up so users of the service can make requests.
“This happened in Arthur’s case - he said about the the table tennis table and thanks to legacy funding we were able to provide it,” she said.
“He’s amazing to watch. He hardly ever misses and it’s lovely to see the colour in his cheeks.”
Age UK Thanet is inviting anyone who has been touched by its services and would like to book to write a will to call Robinsons Solicitors, which is making a donation to the charity for every appointment made this month. Call 01227 762888.
