Over £3,000 raised for juniors at Hanging Heaton Cricket Club after 20km walk from Headingley
Over £3,000 has been raised for the junior section of Hanging Heaton Cricket Club after a 20km charity walk from Headingley Stadium.
An annual fundraising event has been held at the club since 2019 when money was raised for the installation of a defibrillator, with this year’s funds helping to continue to provide and maintain the facilities and standards for the junior sides.
25 people from the club, including cricketers, committee members and spectators, took part in the walk, held on April 12, raising a total, so far, of £3,448.
The club, based on Bennett Lane, celebrated its 150th anniversary last year whilst achieving promotion and winning a cup, following recent struggles due to COVID-19.
John Carruthers, who has been chairman since 2010, said:
“It’s imperative that we try and keep standards as high as we possibly can and maintain as good a standard of facility that we have got at the club to hopefully benefit all the juniors that we have got.
“We have been through a little bit of a doldrum in the last few years. But we have had some amazing highs over the period I have been chairman. Hopefully we can get back to that point.
“It is really important, because of the structure of local cricket, that some of your juniors can develop and play within your senior sides.”
Having not had a junior section a mere 12 years ago, Hanging Heaton Cricket Club now accommodates around 40 youngsters, across age groups including under 9s, 11s and 15s, who train every Friday evening.
Tony Raine, treasurer at the club, added: “We are back on the upward trajectory and the junior section is a massive part of what keeps the club on that upward trajectory.
“It brings the parents in as well who join the wider community in sustaining the club as it is.”
The club would like to thank everyone who has donated, as well as all volunteers of the club who have provided their “invaluable time” throughout the year, and even in the winter months.
To donate, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/6sj35-hhcc-fund-raising-sponsored-walk
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities at Hanging Heaton Cricket Club, email [email protected]