Cricket mad kids bid for Active cash

Aug 17 2008 by Sara Nichol, Sunday Sun

IT may be over a century old, but Crook Town Cricket Club believes it still needs to raise awareness of the sport... and it’s hoping our Active campaign will help it do just that.

The County Durham club is seeking to promote cricket in schools and supply equipment for its 70-plus members.

Parents and the local community have so far collected an impressive 6900 of our campaign tokens.

With two of its members already on the Durham County team, the club has launched its first under-11 team, who have just completed their debut season.

And there is no one more determined to see Crook Town continue in its success than coach Stephen Thexton, who has been part of the club for 42 years.

Mr Thexton, of Esh Winning, County Durham, whose 13-year-old son Daniel plays for the club and Durham County, said: “The kids absolutely love the club and it provides a brilliant alternative to the football clubs.

“We raise most our own money for the youth teams as it only costs each member £3 a year and we need things like a minibus to take us to away games, and equipment.

“We do things like sponsored walks to raise funds and two of the mothers hold a raffle at each of our home games, trying to get everyone involved in fundraising.

“The money from the tokens will pay for some equipment and we’ll carry on sending one of our coaches into local schools to raise awareness of cricket and where kids can come to play.

“Stephen Chapman, the former Durham first club cricket player, comes and helps out with the club every time he’s back from Australia. He used to play for us, so I suppose it’s close to his heart.” Mr Thexton’s son Daniel, 13, has played for the under-13 team for three years and has secured a place on the Durham County squad.

He said: “The club has a great atmosphere and we’re all good friends. When we play, we play as a team and not as individuals.

“The really talented lads help out those who aren’t as good. I want to play cricket professionally when I’m older so I was really happy when I got onto the county team.”

The Active Campaign will distribute £25,000 between the groups who have registered with the Sunday Sun and are collecting tokens.

The amount of cash each group receives depends on the number of tokens collected. Members of the public are also collecting tokens for their “adopted” groups.

To donate your tokens to Crook Town Cricket Club, send them to Stephen Thexton, 11 Edward Street, Esh Winning, Durham, DH7 9PG.