A WELL loved cricket club is appealing for help to secure its future after being hit hard by the coronavirus lockdown.

Church Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club was founded in 1856 and would normally be enjoying a packed season of fundraising events to raise money for the ongoing maintenance and improvements needed

However pandemic has caused all of the club's recent events to be cancelled, leading to a loss of over £58,000

A statement issued by the club said: "We are proud of our history, but also aware that the wonderful family that we have exists only whilst we are able to raise the funds needed in order to maintain it.

"2020 has been a tough year for everyone, and although we were able to achieve great success on the field, like so many other clubs, we suffered great financial losses off it."

In response, the club has set up an online crowdfunder, aiming to raise £20,000 to help make up for lost revenue.

This has already been boosted by a donation of £1,500 from Blackburn and Accrington based Farley's solicitors.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Antionia Love of Farleys Solicitors making a donation

Club secretary Andrew Bentley said: “We are most grateful for the support of the Farleys Foundation.

"Their significant donation will help to secure the future of the Club and will be crucial in helping it to overcome the effects of the pandemic and will ensure that the club can continue to provide a valuable community resource.

“Much of the foundation’s incredible generosity will go to underpinning our successful junior programme, providing much needed support to children and young people at what is a most challenging time.”

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Club was founded in 1856

Meanwhile Farleys say they have been happy to help.

Partner Antonia Love said: “When we heard about the Church and Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club crowdfunder, we knew it was a cause we needed to help with as the club is an important part of our local community.

“Last week was Children’s Mental Health Week and it is important we continue to raise awareness of the impact of lockdowns and the pandemic on children in our community and across the UK.

"Sport plays a vital part in helping and improving the mental health of children and we are particularly pleased to have been able to assist a local cause which does such a great job of including both boys and girls in the participation of sports.

“We know the last 12 months have been challenging for everyone but we encourage our friends in Lancashire to help the club reach their crowdfunder total, if they can, so they can receive this much-needed funding.”

Club managers are planning to use the money to increase participation in junior cricket, including the creation of a new girl’s cricket team as well as for maintenance and repairs on the ground’s machinery, for ground and pitch maintenance, to improve the facilities in the ground for community use and to fix the leaky pavilion roof.

To find out more about the campaign and to contribute, go to: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/securing-our-future-churchcc.