Former England cricketers and celebrities will be taking to the crease with Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan to raise funds for the UK’s leading children’s charity.
Barnardo’s has teamed up with Heaven Help Us Cricket Club (HHUCC) to launch the Barnardo’s Cricket Cup – bringing together celebrities including cricketers, athletes, actors, authors and more, to support some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, young people and families.
The inaugural match in an annual series will be held on 30th August 2021 at the prestigious Wormsley Cricket Ground in Stokenchurch, near High Wycombe.
Captain for the Barnardo’s XI will be former England Cricketer Chris Lewis who will be joined by his old teammate Devon Malcolm, Javed Khan OBE and more.
Also on the Barnardo’s side and hoping to get HHUCC in a spin will be the former England Disability Team Captain Rob Franks, who is the team’s vice-captain, along with the vice-chair of Mount Cricket Club, Yusuf Kayat, which was the first Muslim team to play at the Vatican.
And hoping to prove that their cricket skills are just as good as their writing will be the author and journalist Peter Oborne, historian and author Duncan Stone, and the author Richard Hellers.
The sides will also include cricket commentator, and former captain of the all-male (apart from her) Albury Cricket Club Men’s 2nd XI, Isabelle Duncan.
Also stepping up to the crease will be Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, barrister and keen cricketer Gordon Lee, and Open University law professor Simon Lee, who was formerly Vice Chancellor of Leeds Metropolitan University and Rector and Chief Executive of Liverpool Hope University College.
Tickets for the match are limited, those interested can register here.
The event is sponsored by Al-Khair Foundation, B3 Cricket and CA Sports Global. All proceeds will help Barnardo’s in its vital work supporting vulnerable children, young people and their families across the United Kingdom.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “I’m thrilled to be announcing the launch of the Barnardo’s Cricket Cup and cannot wait for the match to start.
“And I’m especially grateful to everyone who has agreed to play on the day. Our career paths vary from acting, writing, law and charity leadership, but together we are a force to be reckoned with. Usually I play for Heaven Help Us, so it will be strange to play against my teammates but I’m looking forward to lifting the cup and bringing it home to Barnardo’s!
“Most importantly, this event is about raising funds for the charity, after what has been an extremely challenging 18 months and counting. The families we support have had an immeasurably tough time during the pandemic and all the money raised from the match will help us give them essential support.
“I hope as many people can join us on the day to watch the match and help raise much needed funds at the same time.”
Sponsorship packages are also available for businesses that want to back the event and help Barnardo’s to achieve better outcomes for the children, young people and families it supports. Anyone interested can email [email protected] for more details.