Mark Hillery, a successful hedge fund manager based in London, who spent the first 18 years of his life in Huby, said he was delighted to be able to make the six-figure donation to the Almscliffe Tennis and Bowling Club.

The club launched a major fundraising appeal in March to try and secure the £40,000 it needed to buy the plot of land it currently occupies.

Members were worried that without a large investment the club would be unable to celebrate its centenary in 2013.

Renovate

Mark's parents Jenefer and Geoffrey, who have lived in Huby for the last 45 years, read about the club's appeal in one of the leaflets that members had circulated to homes in the nearby villages and Mrs Hillery sent a copy of the leaflet to her son.

The appeal caught Mark's attention and the former Harrogate Grammar School pupil contacted the club to make the £100,000 donation on behalf of his parents.

This money, along with money raised through fundraising and gifts from club members, residents, local government and the Weeton Trust, means the club is now in a position to buy the land it needs, renovate its facilities and, subject to planning permission, build a new pavilion.

Beautiful

There is also the possibility that the club may be able to build another tennis court, to accommodate its 200 members.

Mr Hillery said: "I enjoyed my childhood there - I thought it was a beautiful place to grow up and I was a member of the tennis club.

"The lifeline of village life, the thing that generates a sense of community, is having a number of institutions like sports clubs that keep the village together.

"If we don't have things like these we run the risk of having a lot of faceless commuter towns.

Generous

"When I heard the club needed a decent infusion of funds to purchase their top-rate facility, I decided it was time to pay back the community for the first 18 years of my life.

"It should hopefully get them a long way."

Club chairman Chris Olding added: "Mark has given us a tremendous gift and the club would like to thank him for his generous donation.

"The club will now be able to create a valuable community facility which will act as a lasting reminder of the generosity and appreciation of local residents old and new."