Members of Staffordshire outfit Stone SP Cricket Club are aiming to run 100 miles each in the month of May to raise money for fundraising scheme Cricketers against Covid-19: Smash The Tash.
The Smash The Tash initiative invites cricketers to grow facial hair to encourage people to donate to their cause with all money going to NHS Charities Together.
Stone Cricket Club has now gone the extra mile and set up their own fundraiser to support this cause.
“First and foremost it’s a great cause helping to provide some additional support to NHS which is a service that many of us take for granted,” Stone batsman Sam Graham, who organised the fundraiser, told Sport in Staffs.
“In a situation like this, you just realise how important this healthcare system is and the truly remarkable sacrifices they make to keep everyone safe and healthy.”
He went on explain what the fundraising scheme is about.
“15 of us Stone SP players, coaches, parents and associates are participating,” he said.
“The aim is to individually run 100 miles throughout May. We’ve set up a running group on Strava for everyone involved enabling us to track where we’re all at and gives us a good support system.
“This idea has been heavily influenced by the brilliant Smash The Tash initiative.
“We are proud to get behind our fellow cricketing peers who have been brilliant at pushing this campaign and coming up with creative ideas as well as looping in the likes of Merv Hughes as an icon figure – who has a famous tash – to drive this fundraising effort forward. The beard is growing strongly as we speak!”
Like many clubs, the coronavirus pandemic has affected Stone financially, but they are trying to remain positive throughout this tricky period, with the ‘#TonUpInMay’ fundraising effort being an example of this.
Sam said: “Like every club there has been a significant loss of income with no cricket being played so we’ve had to come up with our own initiatives to raise some funds.
“We’ve got some brilliant volunteers who have maintained the grounds with strict guidelines in place of course so that well be ready once the season commences.
“It’s not ideal preparation wise but every club is in the same boat and that’s not important at this stage. We are trying to remain as hopeful as possible that we get to play some form of cricket this summer but as mentioned, more important things to focus on right now.
“For the majority of us, the lockdown has meant we’ve now got more time on our hands and just thought that there’s no better way than utilising our time to challenge ourselves with the overall purpose of trying to raise awareness for our NHS heroes.
“In terms of a target, we don’t have a specific total number in mind but each runner will aim to raise £100.
“Any kind of donation will be greatly appreciated and when donating remember to leave the comment ‘#TonUpInMay’.”
David Fairbanks from Smash The Tash said he was thankful for the efforts those at Stone Cricket Club are doing.
He told Sport in Staffs: “Stone is a fantastic club with great people. It goes to show that we may suffer from white-line fever between the hours of 1-8pm on a Saturday in the summer months – but as a community as a whole we are all in this together.
“To say the three of us (David, Craig Barker and David Edwards, organisers) are proud of our cricket community is well and truly an understatement.
“Stone have come up with their own initiative which is an absolutely fantastic idea. And then to donate that to our fundraiser is just an amazing token of cricket friendship and we can’t thank them enough for their support.
“We have one request and that is to see “Butts” (club member Adrian Butters) in a 118 outfit!”
David continued: “It’s amazing how many clubs have bought into our fundraising concept in such a short space of time.
“We are receiving many generous donations from cricket clubs around North Staffordshire. We are well and truly overwhelmed by the support from everyone. Our hope is to carry on spreading the love beyond the county borders.
“We encourage all clubs to do something similar. If we can raise money and help our NHS heroes on the front line whilst raising spirits then please do what Stone CC have.”
To donate to the Smash The Tash fundraising initiative, click here.
For updates on Stone Cricket Club’s fundraiser progress, click here.
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