Cheshire Cricketers raise £13,000 for charity

DEDICATED youngsters from Cheshire Cricket Board's Player Pathway pushed their bodies to the limit last winter to raise more than £13,000 for charitable causes.

Boys and Girls aged nine to 19 took part in a progressive running exercise known as the "Yo Yo Test" to help raise sponsorship for three excellent charities - Children with Cancer UK, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the Cheshire Cricket Trust.

More than 200 children from across 23 Excellence and District level courses took part in the now annual test, which measures an athlete's aerobic capacity and endurance levels.

Each child's final score, or 'Level' is recorded for benchmarking purposes, allowing the Cheshire coaches to chart improvements in fitness levels over a period of time.

All the players approached the test with great determination, displaying athleticism and courage to achieve personal goals and beat their previous scores.

But the real beneficiaries of this year's event were the three charities, who took home a share of more than £13,000 after sponsors displayed great generosity and kindness.

Cheshire Cricket Trust Trustee David Sharp pictured with CRY's local supporter Angie Jackson of Physiofit, following the presentation of a cheque to CRY for £3322.42

Vouchers for bat manufacturer Woodstock were presented to several children who raised the most money from the most number of sponsors, as the money came flooding in from friends and relatives all over the globe.

Cheshire Cricket Board Marketing Manager, Gareth Moorhouse said: "Having tackled the Yo Yo Test myself on several occasions this winter, I know exactly how much hard work the boys and girls put into their efforts.

"The support from the players' family and friends has been amazing, with hundreds of people donating to three excellent causes."

Cheshire Cricket Trust trustee David Sharp added: "£10,000 was raised from the first 'Sponsored Yo Yo' in 2013, so to reach this figure again and then surpass it is something everyone involved should be very proud of.

"This was an incredibly successful event which highlighted the enormous community spirit and goodwill that exists among the Cheshire cricket family.

"On behalf of all the Charities, a very big THANK YOU to the Cheshire Cricket Board and especially all the children and their families and friends.

THANK YOUS from Children with Cancer UK and Cardiac Risk in the Young
* Physiofit Gets Alderley Up & Running for CRY
* Registered with the Charities Commission in 2012, Cheshire Cricket Trust seeks to attract support to facilitate the playing and development of cricket for everyone in Cheshire on a recreational basis to improve their conditions of life.
* Children with Cancer UK is the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer and funding life-saving research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and work to protect young lives through important welfare programmes.
* Cardiac Risk in the Young supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD). CRY promotes and develops heart screening programmes and funds medical research.