Cricket club's 150th anniversary challenge to raise money for hospice
A team of cyclists got on their bikes to cycle from Lord’s Cricket Ground to their home pitch to celebrate 150 years of their club.
A team from Clevedon Cricket Club pedalled the 150 miles from the world-famous Lord’s Cricket Ground in St John’s Wood, London, to their home at Dial Hill, Clevedon over 3 days to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The team, made up of club members and supporters, collected a cricket ball from Lord’s to take with them on the trip, presenting it to Clevedon Cricket Club President Ben Hazeldine on their return as part of the annual President’s Day celebrations.
The cyclists set off on Thursday 18 July from Lord’s - known as the ‘home of cricket’ – cycling 60 miles on the first day to Thatcham near Reading.
The second leg of the cycle saw the team ride a further 65 miles from Thatcham to Bath along the Kennet and Avon Canal.
After staying overnight at the YMCA in Bath, the team made the final 25 mile stretch of their journey to Dial Hill – arriving at on Saturday just before rain stopped play.
The club, which was formed in 1874 and is one of the leading clubs in the Bristol and Somerset area, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024.
The cycle challenge has raised more than £1,000 for CHSW.
Clevedon Cricket Club Vice Chairman Mike Wilson said: "The route was difficult in places and included us cycling on two of the hottest days of the year so far. Parts of the Avon and Kennet Canal cycle path were also hard to navigate in places and there were times where it was not much more than a ploughed field and we had to get off our bikes and push them."
"The club has been a long-standing part of the local community and during this time we have had members whose family and friends have been supported by Children’s Hospice South West. As an organisation ourselves which supports young people, it was the obvious choice to do something not only to celebrate our own special anniversary, but to raise money for such an incredible cause.
The cricket club, which over the years have seen sporting greats including Andy Caddick, Geraint Jones MBE, Kyle Abbot, Mark Greatbatch and Mark Douglas take to the pitch, has 3 men's teams as well as a ladies softball team.
It also has numerous junior teams, with hundreds of young people enjoying the sport at the ground – affectionately known as ‘The Hill.’
It also has a well-used clubhouse pavilion and future plans for the ground include upgrading these facilities to enable more people to enjoy cricket and become more inclusive.
CHSW Area Fundraiser Lucie Perryman said: “We're delighted that Clevedon Cricket Club chose to fundraise and support us in this way and want to congratulate them all on completing an amazing challenge and such a fantastic amount raised."