Cricketers go double the distance in lockdown
Mudeford Cricket Club players who are attempting to reach all 18 county championship grounds in England and Wales inside a month, have got off to a stunning start – and may even manage it twice!
A group of 30 cricketers from their teens to their 70s have set themselves the challenge of running or walking a combined 1008.6 miles, the equivalent distance to Hampshire, Surrey, both grounds in London, Cardiff, Durham and all the way back again, by March 31.
The cricketers are dotted across Dorset and Hampshire and cover their miles in their own neighbourhoods, before logging them on an app.
Ryan Attree, who is running 5k a day during the month, said: “We were always pretty confident we would reach the 1008.6 miles between us during the month, but in the first few days we have already covered 142 miles, so we may even double our target!”
The cricketers are appealing to the community and supporters for sponsorship, which will go to Macmillan Caring Locally and towards some modernisation of the club’s pavilion in Ledbury Road.
The Cricket Club’s premises at Mudeford Recreation Ground has suffered extensive vandalism during lockdown including smashed glass door panels and damage to the pavilion fences.
BCP Council is responsible for repairing the damage, but the cricket club wants to modernise the interior of the clubhouse to make it more comforting and welcoming for home and visiting teams.
Ryan added: “Our Social Secretary Alex James came up with the idea for the challenge because we wanted to raise funds for the club and the hospice and also provide some entertainment for the players and keep them connected during lockdown”.
“We are walking or running to government guidelines near where we live, alone or with our loved ones and each day we log our miles on the Strava app. We are great supporters of the Macmillan Unit. Unfortunately, like many charities they have had to cancel many of their fundraising events during lockdown. So, it will be great to know we have helped in some way”.
“We just hope people will come forward and sponsor us, so we can make a good-sized donation to the charity and get our clubhouse up to scratch.”
Neal Williams, Trust Secretary of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “We are immensely grateful to Mudeford Cricket Club for its support. It has been a very frustrating time for all those who enjoy team sports, and this is a fabulous way of keeping fit and boosting morale while supporting our community. We look forward to following the runners’ progress via their daily updates.”
The cricketers set themselves a target of £1500 and have already passed the £1700 mark. They also hope to hold a live event for the last couple of miles, with two of them running in full cricket gear – pads, helmets and gloves and hope local people will cheer them on. For more details of their challenge, daily milage logs and to donate click here.
