Run 100 to Raise 100: The student-led charity initiative

Pupils at Marlborough College are running 100 runs in full batting equipment raising funds for NHS Charities Together, The Ruth Strauss Foundation and Cricket Without Boundaries

Not to be deterred by the lack of schools cricket this summer, Marlborough College’s cricketers are making the most of their time in lockdown.

Ben Spink, captain of the school 1st XI, has devised the challenge called Run 100 to Raise 100. Participants run the length of a wicket 100 times in full batting equipment and each try to raise £100, with donations going to NHS Charities Together, The Ruth Strauss Foundation and Cricket Without Boundaries.

Over £6,000 has been raised so far.

Spink developed the idea with girls’ captain Rosie Pembroke, intending to bring together cricketers across the school for this brilliant cause.

“It’s been so disappointing for the entire cricket community at Marlborough College not to be able to play this summer,” Spink explains.

“The cricket pitches are looking so enticing! And after a pre-season tour to Cape Town, both The XI and the Girls XI were in great shape for the matches that should have been.

“When all of that got wiped due to Covid-19, Rosie and I (as captains), decided to do something to mark the lost season and to keep our cricketing community together. The idea to Run 100 to Raise 100 evolved as a bit of fun - after all who doesn’t want to score a century for the college? More importantly, we wanted to create an inclusive club effort where anyone could take part and contribute what they could.”

^{Students, teachers and parents from across the Malborough College community have taken part in the challenge}

This isn’t the first time that Spink and Pembroke have enjoyed a successful partnership. In an U14 Wiltshire Cup match in 2016 the pair put on 254 together, “We are now working on a different kind of partnership,” Pembroke laughs.

The initiative has been entirely pupil-led, as Mike Bush, master in charge of cricket at the school, explains.

“Ben rang me the day after our early season virtual meeting with an idea. He said that we should do something as a club to make a difference in the current situation.

“On the back of this difficult time and the disappointment of not playing their final school season, they have come up with this fantastic initiative. I really applaud them and am very proud.”

Those to have completed the challenge have come from across the Marlborough community, including pupils, teachers, alumni and parents. Mark Alleyne, the ex-Gloucestershire and England allrounder who now coaches at the school, completed his 100 runs in under 12 minutes.

These leadership qualities in such unprecedented times are exactly why Spink and Pembroke were appointed captains of their sides.

“Ben captained in junior age groups and this was going to be his third season in The XI. He is a school prefect and commands the respect of the team.

“Rosie has captained the girls team pretty much since she arrived. She also made her full Wiltshire Women’s debut aged 14 in 2016.”

Add being part of the Southern Vipers programme and representing the Women’s MCC to these credentials and you have two very respected and capable captains.

The task of keeping cricket alive has been a difficult one for schools. But Marlborough’s charitable initiative, spearheaded by their two captains, is incredibly admirable. The funds raised for their chosen charities will be greatly appreciated and the whole initiative will ensure the entire school’s cricket community remains united.

To find out more about Run 100 to raise 100, please click here
 
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