After sweating it out on the squash courts, Curtis Mallory set about sweating it out in the name of diabetes.

The 12-year-old player raised almost $500 for the Bermuda Diabetes Association and his hard work has reaped its rewards.

For Mallory, who raised the money as part of the recent Bermuda Truckfinders Charity Tournament, has won a trip to Philadelphia where he will get the chance to hone his skills.

More than $4,500 was raised in total for the Diabetes Association, much of it coming from junior players like Mallory.

Instead of being charged an entry fee, the youngsters were requested to find sponsors to sponsor their entry into the tournament.

As an incentive, and thanks to generous donations by US Air and Dominic Hughes of Berwyn Squash and Fitness Club in Philadelphia, the child bringing in the most cash received a free place on a squash camp.

Mallory, whose total was almost double that of his nearest rival, was first introduced to squash when a visiting roadshow came to Paget Primary to introduce the students to the sport.

When he graduated to Spice Valley Middle School, which was already involved in the Bermuda Squash Racquet Association's School Programme, he had the opportunity to visit play on the real courts.

Mallory then signed up for the BSRA's Junior Programme, which is how he came to be involved in this year's event.

“It's wonderful to see Curtis win this prize as he has obviously worked extremely hard to seek sponsors from the local community and raise such a large sum of money for a worthwhile charity,” said Bermuda's director of squash, Ross Triffitt.