Canary Wharf will be filled with more than 160 tonnes of sand

Forget the World Cup and the Copacabana, the place to be for the beach and some sport is a little closer to home.

For the second year running the eastern edge of Canary Wharf will be filled with more than 160 tonnes of sand to hold the Action for Kids’ Beach Volleyball Chamnpionships and you have the chance to get out on the sand and give it a go.

The children’s disability charity will set up two volleyball courts alongside a sitting volleyball court to showcase the popular Paralympic version of the sport and they will be open from next Monday until July 18.

To get involved, people can pop along as a spectator for free, or for the more active among us, courts can be hired privately at £10 per person, per hour.

For those who want to test their friends or colleagues, teams of five to 12 can enter a special tournament on July 18 if they pledge to raise a target amount for the charity.

Action for Kids volleyball pundit Rob Walker said: “The event is fun. I don’t know what people normally do with their lunch hour, but it is a great way to have fun and get some air.

“Sometimes it can be difficult to give up a day, but it gives time for teamwork and youngsters an opportunity to meet those who are raising money for them.

“A team of 10 raising £200 each could buy a specialised trike, which can give extra freedom to a disabled child.”

Team entry includes two hours of tuition from qualified coaches, entry into the sitting volleyball tournament, lunch, a goodie bag and their company profile listed in the brochure.

Almost 3,000 Londoners hit the courts last year to show their skills a have a laugh.

There is an elite tournament taking place on July 5 and 6, featuring the top eight British teams, while the courts will also be open to schools every day between 10am and noon and then 2pm to 4pm.

Action for Kids CEO Graham Duncan said: “Last year the event generated over £70,000, a target we’re confident we can beat. The money we raise provides motorised wheelchairs and bespoke mobility equipment not available on the NHS, which means young people can get out and about and are not stuck indoors, reliant on someone else.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson added: “Action for Kids is an incredible charity helping young disabled Londoners to get active through sport. I hope the Beach Volleyball Championships raises plenty of cash to help this excellent cause.”

? To enter a team for the tournament on July 18 visit actionforkids.org/citybeachvolleyball.asp and download the registration form.