Newsletter #1 December 2023.
Welcome to the first of what will be a quarterly newsletter from The Cricket Asylum Foundation (TCAF).
There are exciting times ahead for The Cricket Asylum Foundation, which is undergoing something of a ‘relaunch’ over the coming months. Hopefully 2024 will see us upscaling some of our already very popular programmes whilst adding further projects that are already in the planning stage. We want to deliver in more hard to reach communities and in deprived areas and carry on spreading the gospel of healthy living through cricket be that in clubs, schools or community groups.
At TCAF, we have a small but dedicated group of trustees and volunteers who drive everything behind the scenes. It would be great if we could get more volunteers involved. We are also ‘all ears’ to any new, or different fundraising ideas that would set us apart from the pack and encourage people to support us.
Here of some of the ways you can help with current fundraising projects and some dates for your diary:
Become a Charity business partner: We’re on the look out for businesses to jump on board with us and become a charity partner! Click here for more information on how your business can help us deliver charitable aims, and benefit from a wide range of advertising and PR opportunities.
Donate cricket memorabilia – The Trustees and some other supporters of the TCAF have donated some cricket memorabilia for us to sell at auction and through raffles and online auctions. We have been lucky enough to get hold of playing shirts signed by Shane Warne, Marnus Labuschagne and Jonny Bairstow. We have a number of signed bats and other items of ‘cricketana’ also. Once ‘sold’, proceeds will be ploughed into various upcoming TCAF projects.
Donate some unwanted (but still usable) kit – The Kit Library continues to thrive and is helping make the game more accessible and affordable for all . Well done everyone. However we can only continue to develop this great project is we have a steady supply of kit in the library. Once again, all proceeds from the donations for kit go directly into TCAF funds to support ongoing and upcoming projects. If you have any kit you wish to donate then please contact pete@tcafoundation.org
**Netathon 2024 – SAVE THE DATE** – The annual Netathon fundraiser is in the diary for April. Starting at Midday on Tuesday April 2nd the Netathon will conclude at Midday on Wednesday 3rd April. With the outdoor season just a round the corner, a great chance to get lots of practice in while fundraising for grass roots cricket, lets make this event our best Netathon yet! Further details to follow in the New Year.
T20 Charity Fundraiser – Once again during 2024, and weather permitting (!), we will be running our Charity T20 fundraiser where a team made up of overseas pros playing locally takes on a team of home grown players in a T20 game. The venue is TBC, we are working though on something a bit different….. The plan is to host the game on Friday September 6th, with Friday September 13th as a reserve day. Further info to follow as we get it…
Race and quiz nights – Trustee Glenn Kershaw is to take his very own brand of ‘Glenntertainment’ around local clubs throughout 2024. Glenn would be happy to work with clubs on hosting quiz or race nights where the proceeds from the event are shared. A great way of making some money for your club, for TCAF and having a good night out in the process!
If anybody would like to get involved with any of the above fundraising projects, or has any fundraising ideas then please do get in touch with pete@tcafoundation.org. Or just click the button below to donate!
As our work continues across communities, here are a couple of things on the up for 2024!
Brand new State School Cricket Project to be launched in 2024!
We’re excited to announce we are partnering with Kingsway Park High School in Rochdale to offer the first of a number of state school cricket academies. The long term aim is to offer pupils going to state high schools the chance to develop their cricket, in a way usually only available to privately educated children. We have other schools eager to sign up to this, but as ever funding is tight but we will be working hard in the coming months and years to develop this offering.
The Kingsway Sixers Cricket Project will see existing pupils receive a series of coaching sessions in school, leading up to games in the season against other cricketing schools. In addition, primary school aged children can sign up to sessions for less that £1 per session!
Walking Cricket expanding!
Our Wednesday Walking Cricket sessions have been a real success, with a regular group of retired and semi retired individuals enjoying their games and training. We’ve even travelled to Todmorden to play against another Walking Cricket group, which was a great day out for a competitive game played with great spirit. We have gained funding to add further Walking Cricket sessions and to promote within the local area, click here for information about the 2024 sessions.
Funding awarded to deliver Healthy Holidays Cricket Activity Camps
We’re delighted to have once again gained funding to deliver holiday activity camps that are free to children who are on free school meals. These are great fun and ensure these children from diverse backgrounds, have an active time and enjoy a healthy breakfast and lunch throughout the school holidays!
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