Hospice bowled over with cricketers’ charity efforts

Every year cricketers at Hartlepool Cricket Club’s Park Drive ground come together to compete in teams of two for the coveted Ian Jackson Memorial Double Wicket Trophy.

The Park Drive 1st team pace bowler who also played county cricket and was a junior coach passed away in 2016, aged just 47.

This year marked the 10th anniversary of Ian’s passing which prompted his wife Louise Jackson to make the event – which was supported by Hartlepool Life – extra special.

Louise said: “I’ve had a brilliant team of family and friends around me who have worked so hard to help raise an amazing amount of money for Alice House Hospice. The support and generosity have been unbelievable and I can’t thank everyone enough. It is hugely appreciated.”

She added: “Alice House Hospice provide fantastic care and support to local people during a time of great need, and I am very proud of everyone who has played their part to help us fundraise.”

Money was raised in a variety of ways including a raffle, bucket collections, bonus ball draws and auction of sporting memorabilia.

Former England cricketers Sir Geoffrey Boycott OBE and Scott Borthwick along with radio presenter Paul ‘Goffy’ Gough arranged signed cricket shirts which were auctioned whilst Park Drive’s beverage supplier – LWC Drinks – donated the proceeds from a barrel of Coors.

Yash Vagadia, who captain’s the 1st team at Park Drive and Yorkshire’s 2nd XI, organised a signed Yorkshire bat. Other generous donations included hospitality and match day tickets for Newcastle United and a rare bottle of whisky.

Ian Jackson’s son Max who opens the bowling for the 1st team, won the double wicket competition with 4th team captain Abbas Ali in a close final against 2nd team opening bowler Harry Griffin and Abbas’s younger brother Medhi Ali.

Rob Mathieson – a former 1st team cricketer at Park Drive – travelled all the way from his home in Ireland to play in the event with his 12-year-old son Sandy.  

It costs £3.7m a year to run Alice House Hospice but only a third of the funding is provided by the Government. This means that on average, £6,700 must be raised every single day to meet the shortfall. 

Greg Hildreth, of Alice House, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who played their part in helping to raise such a significant amount for the hospice. Alice House relies heavily on the support of the community and we truly value the kindness and hard work that goes into fundraising events such as these, which enable us to continue to deliver high-quality care and support to local patients and families.”