Sports lovers are being urged to help one of the county’s largest cricket clubs with a major fundraising push.
Kettering Town Cricket Club has been supporting cricketers in the area for nearly 140 years and has seen its membership grow significantly in recent times – catering for players of all ages and abilities.
The rapidly expanding club has raised most of the money it needs to install new practice nets costing £63,000 but is facing a shortfall of £20,000.
It is now in a race against the clock to get the rest of the funds in place so it can get the new nets installed this summer.
Cricket Club Chairman Martin Reece said: “Our club really is a huge asset to the community – anyone can join or come along and watch.
“We have around 100 junior members, a thriving women’s section, lots of families and players ranging in age from as young as five to competitors in their 70s.
“We are a completely amateur club run by a dedicated group of volunteers who work hard to provide a lot for our community.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to raise the money so far but we really need the support of the wider community to help us achieve our fundraising target.”
The cricket club needs to replace its current set of practice nets because they have reached the end of their lifespan.
As a result, they are not as good as they should be and its coaches cannot deliver their training sessions as effectively, particularly to younger players.
The project has already received much appreciated funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Kettering Old Grammar School Foundation.
To help the cricket club secure the rest of its funding, its supporters have launched a crowdfunding campaign and are urging sports fans and the wider community to back them so they can secure the future of the club for lots of youngsters for years to come.
To donate to the fundraising appeal, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/kettering-cricket-club-practice–facilities.
