CRICKET COMMUNITY CALLED ON TO HELP BUSHFIRE RECOVERY

Cricket Victoria Chief Executive Tony Dodemaide has called on the cricket community to help their fellow clubs affected by the bushfires by taking part in the Lord’s Test Promotion and by directing monies raised in other fundraising events to the Victorian Cricket Bushfire Recovery Fund.

“The response to the tragic events of the past week has been overwhelming and it’s heartening to hear of so many clubs in the cricket community staging their own fundraising events,” he said.

“The general fundraising effort is growing successfully, which is terrific. However, we believe helping the cricket clubs directly affected will be a very effective way of rebuilding those devastated communities. We have established a Victorian Cricket Bushfire Recovery Fund for that purpose. This will be used to help affected clubs in a wide range of ways – from helping to re-establish grounds and clubrooms to providing more simple assistance such as bats, balls and stumps.”

“Many cricket clubs throughout Victoria and even interstate have expressed a desire to dedicate assistance directly to the clubs affected and have been running an array of events.”

“An easy way clubs can help is to purchase tickets in our Lord’s Test Promotion. The major prize is a trip for four people to this year’s England v Australia Lord’s Test in London and the proceeds from this promotion will also go to the fund. Of course those from outside the cricket community can enter. Flyers for the promotion have been sent to clubs and information on this and the Victorian Cricket Bushfire Recovery Fund is available on www.cricketvictoria.com.au”

“The staging of charity Twenty20 matches, barbeques and sportsman’s nights have been popular fundraisers and we’re asking clubs to consider directing money raised from such events to the Victorian Bushfire Recovery Fund.”