Kenilworth Tennis Club has new bench in memory of James Cooper thanks to Tom’s marathon effort

In July Kenilworth Tennis Club member Tom Holmes recreated Wimbledon’s longest match by playing non-stop against different opponents for 11 hours and six minutes.

Almost £2,000 was raised at the event with most of the money going to Always a Chance - the charity set up in memory of James Cooper and James Kouzaris.

The rest of the cash was used to pay for the bench, which was bought as a tribute to Mr Cooper who was a Kenilworth club member.

Mr Holmes, 19, said: “I was proud but also sad that I had to do the event, I think that James would’ve liked the bench.

“He was a great coach and tennis player and a top guy.

“His mum was my coach and he would help out when I was younger and give me a few tips - he was always a much better player than me.”

Tom’s marathon effort have been welcomed by Mr Cooper’s parents Sandy and Stan, who have visited the tennis club in Crackley Lane to see the bench.

The bench has an inscription which says “Cooper’s Bench - great friend, coach and inspiration”.

Mr Holmes said: “I was just overwhelmed by the amount of support that people gave to me and I feel proud that I have done something nice for James.

“Hopefully everybody will appreciate it, it’s just a good feeling.”

Mr Cooper, 25, who grew up in Kenilworth, and Mr Kouzaris, 24, from Northampton, were shot dead while they were on holiday in the city of Saratosa, Florida, in April.

Shawn Tyson, 16, has been charged with two counts of murder and his trial is expected to take place next year.

He faces a life sentence if convicted.

Always a Chance has been set up to prevent violent crime among the nation’s youth.

Tributes to Mr Cooper and Mr Kouzaris can be given and donations can be made online.