Ashcombe Park pair embark on first-class charity challenge
ASHCOMBE Park duo Josh Johnson and Nathan Ball have no grounds for concern as they play their part in the ‘smashthetash’ campaign.
The North Staffs and South Cheshire League Premier Division outfit are the latest club to come up with a challenge to raise funds for the increasingly popular initiative.
Johnson and Ball are currently working their way around the 10 County Championship Division One grounds - and are even looking at dipping in to Division Two before they give their bodies a rest.
It’s a total of 685 miles for the pair to ‘visit’ all of English cricket’s top-flight sides and they’ve given themselves a timescale of 80 days to finish.
“We initially wanted to cycle around the local grounds, but that had already been done,” explained Ashcombe Park vice-captain Ball.
“So we looked at doing something different. We wanted a challenge which was hard to do, achievable, but also in relation to cricket.
“It’s a long way for the Division One clubs and we’re looking at Division Two as well, but that’s another 770 miles.
“We’re just going to try and get as far as we possibly can.”
They are in to the third week of their challenge and after opting to start at Lancashire, they have already chalked off Yorkshire and Northamptonshire.
Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Warwickshire, Surrey and Somerset complete the Division One set.
“We started at Lancashire because it’s close to us and we managed to reach Yorkshire on the first day,” added Ball.
“I am doing the challenge every other day on my crosstrainer and Josh (Ashcombe captain) is going out every day on his bike.
“I’m not coping too badly. I’ve turned my shed in to a man cave and I’m doing it in there, but it can get quite hot.
“But we’re both feeling good and also losing weight as a result.”
Ball and Johnson are hoping to complete part of their challenge at Ashcombe Park’s Basford Bridge Lane headquarters.
It is hoped that a couple of bikes can be found for them to clock up the miles at the Moorlands venue to aid the ‘smashthetash’ cause.
The campaign has certainly captured the hearts of the local cricket community.
The idea is for players and cricket fans to grow their facial hair and then groom it in to a moustache resembling a cricketer before the first game of the season - whenever that is.
The initial target set by organisers David Fairbanks, Craig Barker and Dave Edwards was £500... but the tally currently stands in excess of £22,000.
Ball and Johnson have already raised £700 by themselves, but are hoping plenty more money will roll in as the weeks pass.
“We’d like to get up to £2,000,” explained Ball. “This is a great thing for the cricket community coming together, but it won’t matter when we play the first game!
“That is the positive about ‘smashthetash.’ People don’t always stick around at the end of games, but there’s a common cause to talk about now.
“I can’t believe the amount of money that has already been raised. And I think that the number is only going to keep climbing.
“Clubs will keep coming up with challenges and it’s certainly going to keep going strong until cricket kicks back in.”
It’s not just been players who have been doing their bit.
Youngsters have also been integral to the fundraising effort, with eight-year-old Noah Barker the latest to go above and beyond to help.
Barker, the nephew of coorganiser Craig, ran his own marathon in seven days after being inspired by Longton’s Luke Woodward, who did back-back-marathons across the NSSCL Premier Division clubs earlier this month.
“When he rang me up to say he wanted to do a challenge, it made me really proud,” said Craig.
“At eight years old, to do a marathon over a week was a massive ask, but he’s a determined little soul.
“I was always confident he would be able to do it.”
Noah completed his challenge with a lap around Porthill Park’s ground.
Hem Heath have also played their part by running 200 singles a day for 10 days - the distance of a marathon.
And Little Stoke allrounder James Ecclestone is embarking on a gruelling 874mile trek from Lands End to John O’groats.
Ecclestone is hoping to complete the feat - by walking, running and cycling - by September 12, which is the scheduled conclusion of the cricket season.
To support Ashcombe Park duo Johnson and Ball in their fundraising feat, please visit https://paypal.me/pools/ c/8pdn701te5 to make a donation.