A CRICKET club in Christchurch have set themselves the challenge of collectively walking and running over 1,000 miles during the month of March to raise money for the club and Macmillan Caring Local.

Players from Mudeford Cricket Club will virtually run 1008.6 miles, the equivalent distance from their home ground at Mudeford Recreation Ground to all 18 county championship grounds in England and back again in 31 days.

Social Secretary Alex James, 25, said that the idea behind the fundraiser wasn’t just to raise vital funds for the club and the Christchurch charity, but to also provide some entertainment for the players and keep them connected during the ongoing lockdown.

He said: “Cricket is a massively social sport. As well as playing games and training, we usually meet up every so often for a social night but obviously we have been unable to do that for around a year now.

“It is all about keeping everyone entertained and making sure everyone in the team is well and healthy. Some have been hit harder than others, so we want to make sure we are there for them as well.

“We have quite a diverse club, we have guys as young as 14 and 15 right up to those in their 60s and 70s, so it’s about keeping them all engaged in the club and making sure they still feel part of something.”

Bournemouth Echo: Members of Mudeford Cricket Club are going to walk or run 1008.6 miles during the month of March to raise for the club and Macmillan Caring Locally

Members of Mudeford Cricket Club, who have three adult league teams who play in the Hampshire Cricket League, will complete their runs as part of their daily bit off exercise in a socially distanced manner.

The money raised from the month-long challenge will be used to improve the club’s facilities, with their clubhouse having been affected by vandalism and unruly behaviour since being closed during the pandemic.

Mr James added: “So, we will be running to Hampshire first, and then Surrey and Kent before doing all the ground in London. We will then be going to the top of the country as far as Durham and then back down.

“We are hopefully going to do some kind of live event for the last couple of miles. Two of us from the club are going to run it in full cricket gear so pads, helmets and gloves.

“We are going to run around the local area so it would be great to have people outside their homes, socially distanced of course, and cheering us on.”

The club have set themselves the target of raising £1,500. To donate to the fundraiser, click here.