Cricket club team up for charity fundraiser

CRICKET players are making a team effort for charity in honour of their friend.

Members at Bollington Cricket Club are raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as part of their President’s Day this weekend. They chose to support the charity because fellow teammate, Matt McGuinness, has cystic fibrosis, a condition which means the lungs and digestive system become clogged with mucus which makes it hard to breathe and digest food.

The club will host a special match between teams chosen by the president and chairman as well as entertainment and refreshments at what they hope will be a day for the community to enjoy.

Special guest is former Manchester City player Shaun Goater.

Peter Henshall, Matt’s friend and club member, said: “Rather than raising money for the club this year, we decided to give proceeds to the trust. It’s a charity close to our hearts because of our friend Matt. When he’s ill, he can spend weeks in hospital, but he tries to get on with it and lead a normal life.

“We want to raise awareness and raise money which could help to enable research that may find a cure.”

The cricket match will feature Bollington players past and present as well as overseas players and current Cheshire County cricketers.

During the tea break there will be a cricket competition featuring some of the junior cricketers.

Refreshments available throughout the day include a barbecue, bar, cream teas and cakes.

Peter said: “We hope people will come along and support the day.”

There is an online auction on the Bollington Cricket Club Facebook page where bids can be made for pairs of tickets to a Manchester City and Manchester United game, a signed England shirt from the England v India test match and a framed, signed cricket bat from the England 2011 tour of India.

Bids can be made for these items on the Facebook page or by emailing rob@ media1productions.co.uk.

The Presidents Day is on Sunday, August 24, at Bollington Cricket Club. The game will start at 1pm.