Horspath Cricket Club were delighted to raise £3,000 for mental health charities by organising a Tape Ball Six-a-side Competition.
The money was split between Mind and Oxfordshire Mind with both organisations receiving £1,500 each from the Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division 2 club.
A cheque presentation was held in the clubroom recently with Oxfordshire Mind Events and Fundraising manager Olivia White.
She said: “We cannot thank everyone at Horspath Cricket Club enough for their incredible support. The funds raised will make a meaningful difference to the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.
“Every pound helps us provide essential support, information and wellbeing services, while working to reduce stigma and improve understanding of mental health.
“Together, we’re helping to ensure that nobody has to face their mental health journey on their own.”
Mind were also highly appreciative of the club’s fundraising efforts.
A spokesperson from the Community Fundraising Team said: “The money raised will make a real difference for the one in four of us facing a mental health problem each year.
“It will help power our helplines, our information and our support services. And it will help fight for better health care, laws and treatment at work too.
“It brings us even closer to making sure no-one has to face a mental health problem alone.”
Ten teams consisting of men’s and women’s players, juniors, friends, supporters and families took part in the charity tournament at the Recreation Ground on August Bank Holiday Sunday.
With the sides wearing coloured shirts generously donated by Newtrim UK Ltd and two matches running alongside each other throughout the day, the club was buzzing with activity.
Music accompanied the action with sixes and wickets galore as tape balls – tennis balls wrapped in electrical tape – flew to all parts in front of a good-sized crowd with villagers out in force to support the event.
Horspath secretary Russell Smith said: “It was a brilliant effort from everyone involved to raise such an amount for Mind and Oxfordshire Mind and is something the club is very proud of.
“It successfully brought together all sections of the club – men’s, women, youth and social members – on the one day for a most worthy cause while at the same time raising awareness of mental health.”
Photo: Horspath members (from left) Will Eason, Marc ‘Diddy’ Bridges and Russell Smith hand over a cheque for £1,500 to Oxfordshire Mind Events and Fundraising manager Olivia White. Picture: Rob Judges
