FUNDRAISING HERO: THE NOMINEES

Open to anyone in the cricket community who has raised money for charity through cricket-focused activities or for cricket-focused causes.

They might have run a marathon in full kit, or generated funds to keep a club alive by bathing in baked beans. As long as either the cause or the activity has a cricket theme, we wanted to hear about their achievements.

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DANIEL MANDERS

Shrewsbury second XI captain Daniel Manders orchestrated a 100 kilometre run - roughly the distance between the city and Lord's - between his club and Haughmond FC which raised £16,248.69.

Players from both clubs would run as far as possible in 30-minute slots between 6am and 8pm in an effort to cumulatively reach the target.

The landmark was reached in just six days thanks in part to ex-overseas players in the likes of Australia, South Africa and West Indies chipping in.

The success of the effort spread across social media and inspired other Shropshire clubs to replicate the challenge, with 40 other sides running a combined total of 2800km.

SIDCUP CC

Mat Kilbey, Josh Rodgers, Dave Pule, Scott Appleyard, Dan Dark, Calum Nash, Ben Simons and Henry Walker

Eight heroes of Sidcup CC ran 590 kilometres in nine days for the club and NHS Charities Together.

The group had been planning to run 465km - the combined distance of the first XI's scheduled away matches - but went above and beyond.

They had varying athletic experience from running marathons to sprinting for the bus but pulled together to drag each other over the line a day ahead of schedule.

At the time of writing £3,460 has been raised, part of which will go towards the club can remain fully functioning beyond a difficult summer.

JAMES HASTINGS

Former University of Birmingham Cricket Club president James Hastings ran seven kilometres on each of the 31 days of May, with his route often taking him past Edgbaston.

He raised £3,105 to Teenage Cancer Trust after fellow UBOCC member Harry Staples was diagnosed with Lukeamia.

James battled through adversity during the challenge, which included suffered a stress fracture in his ankle on the 23rd day.

Doctors had advised him to stop but he remained committed to the cause and finished the task with aplomb.

MARC BROWN

Carlisle CC captain Marc Brown organised a one-day fundraising run between players, parents and friends of the club.

Each would run for 30 minutes in allocated slots between 8am and 8pm.

Marc set a target of 134 miles - the distance between the club and their furthest first XI away fixture at Millom - and committed to completing a 10th of the distance in his full batting gear.

In the end, a total of £5,375 was raised for Eden Valley Hospice and the cricket club junior funds, more than three times the original target.

DAVID STEWART

Ex-military man David went to extra lengths to raise money for the Vital Signs Foundation, which helps provide free heart screenings for 16-35-year-olds.

Member of Upton Cricket Club first and second XIs on The Wirral who play in the Cheshire County League, David underwent a mad haircut, shaving a large chuck of his overgrown locks.

The 32-year-old had to keep the cut for a week, meaning he had to return to work with it, and raised £1,335 - beyond his original target.

DAVID CLARKE

Edgbaston safety manager David set up The 2.6 Challenge in an effort to capture the imagination of staff at Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

More than 40 staff participated in 2.6-themed activities from running to High Intensity Interval Training sessions raise money for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham and the NSPCC’s Childline service.

David, 66,  himself cycled 260 miles during the money of May while head of media Tom Rawlings ran the equivalent of a marathon every week.

The original target of £2,600 was smashed, with £6,546 eventually raised for good causes.

ELLIE ROGERS & CAROLINE LAWTON

Parents Ellie and Caroline formed the innagural Rainbow Run in an effort to show their appreciation to NHS frontline staff in the form of several local charities.

Supported by Kent CC and community clubs across the region, the aim was to cover 1,870 kilometres on May 17, with participants encouraged to cover part of the distance on foot or bike.

The initial funraising target was smashed, with more than £10,000 raised after a staggering 8,268km was covered by all who took part.

MATTHEW BOWMAN

School sports coach Matthew came up with a unique way of donating money to a local hospice near his home in Billingham.

Combining his two sporting loved, cricket and cycling, he road the combined distance between Hartlepool Cricket Club and every away fixture during this season, and did the same for Under-12 side he coaches.

He took on the 387 miles  during the month of June, and is closing in on his target of raising a pound for every mile complete, which will go to Alice House Hospice, who look after his grandmother 20 years ago.


MARTYN HILL

Farndon Cricket club stalwart and Chance to Shine coach Martyn embarked on a heroic 'batathon' at his local side.

He stood at the crease from sunrise to sunset for virtually the entirety of the longest day of the year (June 20).

Youngsters from Farndon would donate £20 to bowl at Martyn in 20-minute slots, with only five minute breaks allowed between spells.

He faced a total of 2,557 balls, was only dismissed 29 times and raised £2,691 which will be split 50:50 between the club and The Shaw Mind Foundation - a local mental health charity.

CONNOR BROOK & JACK MORROW

Orpington CC duo Connor and Jack shaved their heads in an effort to help their struggling club stay afloat during the period without cricket.

They raised £840 through their Go Fund Me page, which all went towards the club's effort to survive.

That included paying the club groundsman, who was striving to maintain the pitch throughout the early summer to ensure it was ready for when cricket did return.

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