Charity cricket game raises thousands

A charity Twenty/20 cricket game held at Middleton Cricket Club has raised a staggering £2,200 for Help for Heroes, and money is still coming in.

The match, held on Friday (24 June), attracted a huge crowd.

The teams who took part were the ‘Michael Smith 11’ and the ‘Clinton Perron 11,’ both men are professionals playing at teams in the borough and formed the teams to support the cause.

Roger Whitworth, Chairman of Middleton CC, said: “It was a really good turn out; there were a lot of people there. People from the marines, navy and army turned up.”

Aside from the game there was also a climbing wall, a penalty shoot out and performances from three bands, Random Harvest, Middle Earth and Strewth.

Mr Whitworth added: “One of our ex captains, Peter Davey, was a marine, he came up with this and asked the club to arrange a cricket match to raise money for Help for Heroes.

“Last year it raised about £1,500, so we are pleased to have topped that.

“We had a lot of donations from local firms and donations for raffle prizes.”

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Councillor Alan Godson and Gillian Brown and Colonel Gerry Wells-Cole were also in attendance.