Cricket Stars of Past and Present Unite For Dickie’s Foundation
England cricket heroes of yesteryear will come face-to-face with the Yorkshire stars of today and a host of celebrities in a special challenge match at Harrogate Cricket Club on Sunday 2 July in the aid of the Dickie Bird Foundation.
Yorkshire’s entire first team squad have agreed to give up their rest day to play for the Bunbury Celebrity XI, alongside a number of famous faces from Emmerdale, and even former world boxing champion Lloyd Hunnigan.
Up against them will be the Old England XI, led by the 43-times capped John Lever, who will include such well-known names as Roger Tolchard, Monte Lynch, Robin Hobbs, Graham Roope, David Capel, Geoff Humpage, Geoff Cooke and Jon Hardy, plus ex-Yorkshire stalwarts Arnie Sidebottom and Jim Love. The side will be managed by one of England’s greatest ever wicketkeepers, Jim Parks, rightly regarded as one of the true gentlemen of the game.
A number of other TV and sporting celebrities are likely to be present throughout the day, with further details being announced nearer the time.
One familiar figure definitely there to mingle with the expected bumper crowd is Dickie Bird himself, whose Foundation will receive all the proceeds from the game.
Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Dickie Bird Foundation, a registered charity, was established by the legendary umpire in 2004 to help financially disadvantaged young people all over the country pay for sports equipment, coaching and travel. Many youngsters have already received funding, including Emma Hilton, a pole-vaulter from Barnsley, who wants to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games, and Lee Spurling, a 10-year old golfing prodigy from Horsforth, with aspirations to be the next Tiger Woods. But much more needs to be done – which is why Dickie is delighted that so many stars have agreed to come to Harrogate to help his Foundation continue its good work.
Dickie Bird said:
“We have had many wonderful fundraising events since my Foundation was set up just over two years ago, and this promises to be one of the best.
“The combination of some of England’s greatest players from the last 30 years taking on the best that Yorkshire currently has to offer, assisted by our other celebrities, is quite a prospect.
“Most importantly, it is likely to raise a lot of money for my Foundation which seeks to gives kids the opportunity to experience better lives through sport – just like I had. I hope the great Yorkshire public turn out in huge numbers to support what I’m sure will be a fantastic day’s family entertainment.”
Ensuring that there will be something for all ages, extra attractions including a bouncy castle, face painting and live music have been arranged to add to the fun.
Gates to the County Ground in Harrogate open at noon with play beginning at 2pm. Tickets, costing just £5, are available by calling Tel: 07759 767 489 or e-mailing info@thedickiebirdfoundation.org. Ground admission will also be available on the day.
