News

Community schemes expanded thanks to Glos Cricket Trust funding

27 April 2016

Gloucestershire Cricket has been able to expand two of its ground-breaking community programmes thanks to a £1500 donation from the Gloucestershire Cricket Trust (GCT).

The funding has allowed the club to build on its work with the Sporting Memories Network (SMN) and Bristol and Avon Multiple Sclerosis Centre (BrAMS).

In addition to running regular reminiscence sessions, Gloucestershire Cricket and SMN have joined forces to run three 'Chat, Play, Unite' events to help combat isolation in the elderly.

Held at The Brightside Ground, Bristol, the days featured an array of ex-players including Mark Alleyne and David “Syd” Lawrence sharing memories of their playing careers with older people from across the city.

The events – which were the first of their kind in the UK – also provided participants with the chance to take part in cricket practices with pupils from City Academy in Easton and play board games with students from Bedminster Down Secondary School.

Gloucestershire Cricket’s Head of Community Engagement, Roz Hutchings said: “The donation from the Gloucestershire Cricket Trust has been invaluable in allowing us to develop our ‘Chat, Play, Unite’ event. The response we’ve had from the groups who’ve come along has been overwhelming. “Watching children from one of the country’s most deprived wards coaching elderly people and others with learning difficulties is so rewarding to see.”

The GCT donation has also gone towards extending the BrAMS programme for people with MS.

Based at BS7 Gym, the scheme helps people with the illness regain balance and movement skills through weekly fitness sessions.

Run by MS specialist physiotherapist Tania Burge and BS7 personal trainer Nathan Walsh, the classes have also helped improve patients’ confidence and provided a forum for them to share their experiences.

As a result of the GCT funding the programme now includes weekly swimming pool sessions at Horfield Leisure Centre.

Roz added: “The pool sessions are having an even bigger impact on patients than Tania and her team ever imagined. For example, one patient who has used a wheelchair for the last five years is now able to walk again thanks to the sessions. I know everyone is so grateful for the continued support from the GCT.”

The Gloucestershire Cricket Trust funds projects across a range of areas including disability, youth engagement, education and coach development.

For more information visit www.gloscrickettrust.co.uk

If you would like to donate to the Trust you can do so in a number of ways

Online: https://www.justgiving.com/g-c-t/

By Cheque: Please make the cheque payable to the Gloucestershire Cricket Trust and send to GCT, The Brightside Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol, BS7 9EJ

Text: Text GCTG19 £10 to 70070 to donate to GCT.

Legacy: If you would like to leave a legacy in your will to the Gloucestershire Cricket Trust this can be achieved by informing your solicitor of what you wish to do.  When talking to your solicitor please inform them of our charity number which is 1003740.

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