Charity, they say, begins at home - and Wimbledon is certainly no different.

Take a stroll down any of the affluent residential side streets on the way to the All England Club and you will see tempting offers of secure off-road parking on the local leafy driveways.

The going rate appears to be around £25 - with as many cars as possible crammed onto the block paving.

Proceeds are said to be going to worthwhile causes.

You cannot help but wonder, though, just how much ends up in the bank of UNICEF and the like.

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There are many, many handouts from various sources as you make your way to the Championships from the tube.

However, flyers for a local discounted crockery store are probably the last thing you would expect.

Still, if you are on the look out for "£000's worth of tableware at unbelievably low prices", you know where to go.

Free parking as well - which around here is always a welcome bonus.

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The freak rainfall which caused havoc in the north of England came to the rescue of James O'Brien, a medical student in Leeds who was desperate to watch sister Katie play here at Wimbledon.

A cancelled train looked to have wrecked his plans - but Katie's first-round match against German Sandra Kloesel was forced off court late Monday night with the British number one leading 5-3.

Katie went on to reach the second round - and James was there to witness the proudest moment for the O'Brien family.

"It was an absolute nightmare," she said.

"He left seven in the morning - and got here at five in the evening.

"So James was actually quite grateful it was delayed."

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It was a case of 'Terry and June' in the Royal Box at Wimbledon on Tuesday - or so it seemed.

After Bruce Forsyth and Angus Deayton on Monday, it was June Whitfield's turn.

The British actress watched Tim Henman's efforts, which provided the comedy celebrity presence in the elite enclosure - complete with Terry, of course.

However, it was not the late Terry Scott we all know and remember from the cult 1980s TV series.

The All England Club were only able to divulge that June's "guest" was a Mr Terry Quinn.

Still, as long as they had some laughs.

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Some bookmakers are already paying out on Swiss maestro Roger Federer winning the men's crown at SW19 - and were doing so even before the first ball was hit.

Punters who backed Formula One whizzkid Lewis Hamilton to be this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year have already collected their winnings.