Leeds Table Tennis Club Wins Community Sports Award

Local initiative supports people with Parkinson’s through sport

A unique table tennis club based in Kirkstall has been recognised at this year’s Compassionate City Awards for its work supporting people with Parkinson’s disease. The awards ceremony was held on 6 November 2025 at Leeds Civic Hall, celebrating organisations and individuals making a positive impact in their communities.

ParkyPING! recognised for community sports contribution

ParkyPING!, a table tennis club founded in 2023, received the award for Community Sports Project of the Year. The club was established by Rob Cook, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. He resumed playing table tennis as a form of exercise, which is considered beneficial in managing Parkinson’s symptoms.

Table tennis is thought to help with symptoms due to its emphasis on balance, hand-eye coordination, and quick decision-making. ParkyPING! welcomes participants of all abilities and provides professional coaching alongside peer support for living with Parkinson’s.

“It’s not just about hitting the ball around the table, it’s about growing community and peer support, and helping each other,” said Rob Cook. “Table tennis is such a brilliant way of helping with Parkinson’s.”

Other award winners at the Compassionate City Awards

Alongside ParkyPING!, several other projects and individuals were honoured for their contributions to community wellbeing in Leeds:

• Health and Wellbeing Project of the Year: Doodle Chat, a social group for doodling and conversation created by local artist Ed Thompson. The group operates in Armley, Harehills, and Hyde Park, aiming to reduce social isolation through creativity.
• Jo Cox Award: We Are Seacroft
• Unsung Sporting Hero of the Year: Shaheen Alghofari
• Diversity Project of the Year: Conversation Club
• Environmental Achievement of the Year: Mafwa Theatre – Lincoln Greeners Project
• Fundraising Achievement of the Year: The Elliot James Bransby Memorial Shield
• Community Organisation or Project of the Year: LS14 Trust
• Unsung Hero of the Year: Chrissy Thornton
• Special Recognition Award 2025: Kevin Sinfield CBE

Ed Thompson, founder of Doodle Chat, commented on receiving the Health and Wellbeing Project award: “We’ve been working really hard the last couple of years to make art and creative wellbeing accessible and available to different communities across Leeds and to anybody that needs a safe space to come, talk, listen and make friends with new people.”

Councillor Mary Harland, Leeds City Council’s executive member for communities, customer service and community safety, said the awards highlight the valuable contributions made by local people and organisations. She added: “We are truly grateful for the hard work of these unsung heroes and it’s vital that we continue celebrating them and their efforts in making Leeds the best city to live in.”