Worcestershire CCC players will be donning their running shoes during the next week to raise funds for a local charity Acorns Children’s Hospice.
The County’s first team squad, women’s and academy players have volunteered to cover nearly 1,000 kilometres in seven days as part of the ‘Rapids Relay’.
Each player will be striving to cover an average of 11.5 kilometres per hour – during government permitted exercise time – before handing over to the next player in the relay.
The Rapids Relay will operate from 8am to 8pm each day – starting on Friday 1 May 2020 – and was initiated by Worcestershire CCC Head Coach Alex Gidman.
Alex said: “It is a challenging time for everyone and I felt it was a great opportunity for us to throw ourselves into helping one of the great local causes.
“The players are furloughed so they have volunteered to do the ‘Rapids Relay’ which is testament to them and they are all chomping at the bit to raise some money for Acorns Children’s Hospice which is something we, as a club, care hugely about.
“We need to average 11.5 kilometres per hour to reach our target, running 12 hours a day for seven days which is a really tough challenge for everyone who’s taking part.
“They’ve all been keeping fit off their own backs and this next week can enhance that fitness and also aid a tremendous cause.
“We are including some of the women’s and academy players in addition to the first team squad so it’s a full-on, Worcestershire CCC effort.”
Members and supporters can follow their progress and donate to the cause at www.wccc.co.uk/rapidsrelay
Alex added: “It will be amazing if our members and supporters also felt it was something well worth supporting.
“Any size donation will be greatly appreciated and we are hoping for lots of interaction across our social media channels and official website to keep in touch with the progress of the players during the next week.”
Zoe Baggott, Fundraising Manager at Acorns, said: “This is a brilliant fundraising idea and we’re really grateful to everyone at the club who is taking part in the relay! It’s a tough challenge, but every penny raised will go directly to Acorns work caring for local children and their families.
“The local community has been rallying in so many wonderful ways since the start of this crisis and this is a perfect example of that togetherness as we all face this pandemic different ways. We’re thrilled for the support and hope lots of people dig-deep for the cause.”
With many of the Charity’s traditional sources of income greatly impacted upon by COVID-19, any financial support will be of huge benefit.
