RALPHH LOOKS FOR WIDER GEOGRAPHIC SPREAD IN CRICKET

Before the last week in March, cricket had not featured among the sports assisted by the RALPHH charity. Since then it has become the biggest category io be helped in 2025 by receiving a free defibrillator from the national charity.

The latest to recent additions has been Tenterden Cricket Club in an attractive part of Kent, where the sport has been played for many decades. Pictured outside its own clubhouse are left to right: Russell Shipton, Club member who first contacted RALPHH to ask for help; Club President and Treasurer Bryan Levett; and making the presentation was Connor Rawlins, one of four RALPHH trustees.

The wide range of ages of people playing cricket and many older players extended interest in playing the game, is one of the key reasons why cricket remains one of the most popular summer sports in the country. There have been instances of players being taken unwell on the pitch and hence the improved interest among alert clubs of the need to improve their own safeguarding against the unexpected. All of the work done in cricket by RALPHH has been in the South East region but Chairman Richard Allen is keen to see this spread nationwide from the second half of this summer.

“Good club cricket carries with it a lot of passion and commitment and there are many clubs in the North, West Country and Midlands where the standards are extremely high. We would like to hear from these clubs who are recognising a need to have defibrillation equipment on hand but perhaps lack the resources to make a purchase. We may be able to help in making the gift of a dependable piece of potentially life-saving equipment,” he said.

Established in 2019, rowing continues to be the sport in which RALPHH gifts and grants have made the greatest impact, but others such as hockey, sailing and assorted sporting experiences for people with disabilities have also been at the fore, with no restrictions on any sports club applying to be included.