Ruairidh Barker, student from Lancaster Royal Grammar School got in touch with the LCCC Foundation to see if there was anything they could take on their cricket tour to Barbados for children in local schools and clubs that don’t have kit to play cricket. The LCB and Foundation felt Ruairidh’s genuine and heartfelt appeal was a good cause to support and have come together to donate old kit which will be taken by the students for their tour at the end of March this year.

Ruairidh currently plays for Cumbria Under 17s and has also been invited to Durham for winter training. He’s looking forward to their school tour which will be for Years 10 and 11.

He said: “2 years ago I went as the only Year 9 student and it was an incredible experience not only to play cricket there, but to also see a lot of local children from cricket clubs in the area. I saw that in certain schools and clubs we played a lot of the players had to share kit and the kit they used was quite old and worn out. This year we are going out with some of our own team’s old equipment, and as the captain of the team, I’m delighted that the LCB and Foundation have donated old kit to give to some of the disadvantaged children from the schools and clubs in Barbados.”

Bobby Denning, LCB’s Managing Director, said: “This is a fantastic gesture from Ruairidh and his team mates and it’s our absolute pleasure to support him. They are clearly exceptional young men to consider this as part of their tour. I personally wish them all the best for a successful tour, with great experiences, on and off the field.”

Sandy Mitchell, Head of Community Development for the LCCC Foundation, added: “The LCCC Foundation and LCB work in partnership on a number of projects, programmes and events across the North West, but to be able to come together to support children in countries that suffer far greater hardship than we could ever imagine is something we are proud of. If by helping to provide additional kit we can make a small difference to the lives of these young people then it is well worth doing. This is in addition to recent donations we have made to support projects in India and is an area of work we will look to expand on in the future.”

Photo above shows Ian Ledward of Lancaster Royal Grammar School picking up old LCB kit from Emirates Old Trafford.

Report courtesy of LCB

Carlisle CC

Eight clubs’ facilities in Cumbria and 1 in Lancashire were severely affected by floods not seen since 2009. A new record for the amount of rain in a 24-hour period was created with 341.4mm recorded at Honister Pass, in Cumbria, the Met Office confirmed, with maximum wind gust speeds recorded of 81mph.

Clubs that were severely affected include Appleby CC, Carlisle CC, Cockermouth CC, Edenhall CC, Kendal CC (pictured above), Keswick CC, Rockcliffe CC and Workington CC in Cumbria and Garstang CC in Lancashire. All these clubs will need a substantial amount of work and resource to get them in any position to host any cricket in 2016.

£1,000 from the LCCC Foundation will be donated directly towards Cumbria Cricket Board’s Fundraising Appeal currently attempting to raise £24,000 and £500 from the LCB will be made available to Garstang CC in Lancashire.

Garstang CC

Bobby Denning, LCB’s Managing Director, said: “It’s been a difficult time for Garstang CC, a club at the heart of its community. On behalf of the Directors and staff of the Lancashire Cricket Board, I hope this contribution goes a small way in helping the club get back on track. We assure everyone in the club of our continued support.”

Sandy Mitchell, LCCC Foundation’s Head of Community Development, added: “We hope that this donation from the LCCC Foundation will help Cumbria Cricket Board to provide the much needed support to local cricket clubs affected by Storm Desmond. If we can play a small part in contributing towards these clubs, a vital part of their local communities, getting back on their feet in time for the 2016 season then we are only too happy to help.”

If anyone wants to donate to the Cumbria Cricket Board appeal then visit their JustGiving website at: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/#/floodedcumbriaclubs.

Any help that you can provide will be much appreciated.

Report courtesy of the LCB.