Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Cricketing heroes and showbiz stars take to the wicket
CELEBRITIES and sporting stars joined forces in Canterbury last week to play a charity game of cricket.
The fundraiser, in its second year at Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground, attracted big name showbiz stars as well as sporting heroes.
Radio 2 breakfast DJ and presenter of The One Show Chris Evans led the field of star-studded names – including former England cricketers Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough and Michael Vaughan.
Andrew Strauss, the former England captain who recently retired from professional cricket, also took to the pitch.
Speaking from the boundary, former Big Breakfast host Chris said: “We started this here last year and everybody was so nice we just had to come back.
“The big gossip in the dressing room is all about Strictly Come Dancing – Darren Gough is giving tips.
“We are so grateful for every- one coming along. The fact that Andrew Strauss is here is great.” Former football manager Barry Fry also joined the fundraiser, which helped raise money for BBC Children in Need.
The afternoon was a result of a winning bid of more than £100,000 made during a Children in Need auction on Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show earlier this year. The winning bidder and friends were joined by cricketers and celebrities for a match against the legendary Bunburys. Barry Fry said: “I have played for the Bunburys for 18 years and I always support the events because they really support a lot of charities and communities.
“My dad was actually born in Dover so there is a bit of the Kent gene in me and I used to be at Maidstone so it is lovely to be here.”