Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is launching its ‘All In’ community response – a series of targeted acts of support in reaction to the Covid-19 crisis.
Early initiatives include helping provide hot meals to homeless, sheltered & vulnerable individuals and providing memorabilia donations to raise money for a Nottingham charitable fundraiser.
Meanwhile, phone calls checking in on the welfare of the club’s members are already well underway, with Director of Cricket Mick Newell and Head Coach Peter Moores among those involved.
“Each year, come the onset of Spring, we have become accustomed to focussing our attention on cricket and on the start of a new domestic season,” says Nottinghamshire Chief Executive Lisa Pursehouse.
“However, this year is very different and whilst we are missing cricket terribly and await news of its return, we are determined to use the values of cricket – the social, family-based connections – to focus on supporting causes that seek to make a difference across our county.
“Our aim is to support our members, our neighbours and the wider community to foster positivity and meaningful action in these trying times.
“A wide selection of club memorabilia donated by our players and coaching staff has already helped our Club Sponsor John Pye Auctions raise money for the Robin Hood Fund – and we’re building partnerships and creating awareness of other local causes that are doing some great work helping those most affected.”
The club’s community action will be accompanied by features with Nottinghamshire players, coaches and club legends about what lockdown looks like for them and their loved ones.
"We are determined to use the values of cricket – the social, family-based connections – to focus on supporting causes that seek to make a difference across our county"
Lisa Pursehouse
“The current situation calls for something of a departure from our usual content,” Pursehouse adds. “Lockdown is causing all of us to do things we would never usually do.
“Like the wider population, our players, coaches, staff and their families are all navigating their way through the days in different ways.
“We intend to share some of their stories and, in doing so, encourage our members and supporters to do the same, to help where they can and hopefully bring a smile to people in similar situations.”
Further information on strands of the community response and information on how members, supporters and surrounding communities can get involved will be published on the Trent Bridge website and social media channels.