Chance to Shine was built, and depends upon, the support of its generous supporters and we’re grateful to everyone that helps us to give more young people the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. We’re especially thankful to those that made an extra special effort to put on their own fundraising activities for Chance to Shine this summer, and here are just a few of their stories...

Richard Hiscock Memorial Match – Oaksey CC, Wiltshire 

Richard loved all sports but cricket was his passion, playing for Oaksey CC for 35 years since he was just 15. After retiring, Richard became a Vice President of the Club and was a keen supporter, traveling to watch matches at home and away until he became too ill as result of aggressive prostate cancer.

During his playing career, Richard enjoyed many personal highlights, but he also recognised the importance of encouraging young people into the sport. He spent as many Sunday mornings as he could at Cirencester Cricket Club helping with their coaching sessions.

Richard was bed bound for the last 6 months of his life so watched a lot of cricket on TV. One day, while watching coverage with his wife Judith, they were inspired by Chance to Shine Ambassador James Taylor speaking about the charity.

After Richard’s passing, Judith got in touch to let us know that she was planning a fundraising cricket match in Richard’s memory at Oaksey, and that she would like Chance to Shine and Prostate Cancer UK to be the beneficiaries.

The day itself saw friends, family and the local community coming together to celebrate Richard’s life and enjoy the day in his memory. Unfortunately, the weather hampered the chances of a full match on the square, but thanks to the loan of a table-top cricket set from the Lord’s Taverners, play could go on in the local village hall.

Through various fundraising activities, including sponsorship from local companies, the day raised a fantastic £1,450 for the two causes.

Simon Fielder Productions theatre collections

Simon Fielder, the man behind productions such as 'Buddy Holly and the Cricketers' and evenings with Aggers, Boycott, Tuffers and Bumble, has been busy raising funds for Chance to Shine ever since he ran the London Marathon for the charity back in 2014.

At his shows, Simon ensures that the word is spread about Chance to Shine through pro-bono advertisements in production programmes and announcements from the evening’s MC. At the end of the performance, audiences are encouraged to put loose change in fundraising buckets when leaving the venue.

Over the past three years, this initiative, led by Simon and supported by thousands, has raised an incredible £8,500 for Chance to Shine.

Sponsored entry into T20 tournament - Kia Oval, London

Local Councillor Alex Bigham and Dhilhan Hannan of ING Bank gathered together Lambeth Council colleagues, members of Kingstonian Cricket Club and a handful of ringers to play on the world famous Kia Oval pitch while raising vital funds for Chance to Shine and Mental Health Mates.

The 'Dumbslog Millionaires' competed in the Pro Play Sports T20 tournament against stiff competition from seven other teams, and despite some impressive big hitting in their three group matches, they fell just short of making the finals stage of the day.

Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, club mates and colleagues – alongside running a raffle on the day - their team raised a fantastic £2,625 for the charities. What’s more, ING Bank kindly agreed to match all small donations up to £2,000, taking the total raised to £4,625.

Public School Lodges Council Festival – Charterhouse School, Surrey

This year it was the turn of Charterhouse Deo Dante Dedi Lodge to host the annual festival for members of the Public Schools Lodges Council. 

The Worshipful Master of the host Lodge, Robin Furber, had the honour of choosing a charity to receive the proceeds of a collections from members and guests, and kindly selected Chance to Shine as the beneficiary. Those present responded most generously, raising £2,526 to help Chance to Shine spread the power of cricket even further. 

In the afternoon, for the first time ever at the Festival, a cricket match was held and saw the hosts take on the Old Wykehamists. Robin reported that the “the quality of the cricket was a bit suspect but a lot of fun was had!”

The Green Cup - Richmond Green, London

Saturday 1st July saw the 17th edition of the Green Cup, a six-a-side knock out cricket tournament on Richmond Green, which for the ninth year in a row, was hosted in aid of Chance to Shine. 

The day was blessed with glorious sunshine and players and spectators alike enjoyed a BBQ, live music, kids cricket coaching and an open-air bar. Thanks to donations from local businesses there were some excellent prizes up for grabs in the raffle and, alongside a handful of other fundraising activities, the day raised £1,600. 

We're enormously grateful to Jason Stocks who has organised the competition for the past 16 years, raising an incredible £30,000 for Chance to Shine during this time. 

Hertfordshire U19 T20 Finals Day – Rebourn CC, Hertfordshire

Redbourn Cricket Club were selected as the hosts of this year’s Hertfordshire U19’s T20 Finals Day, held on August Bank Holiday Monday. The club, led by Chairman Antony Mauder and former Chairman James Bunce, decided to use the occasion as an opportunity to fundraise for Chance to Shine alongside a local cause dear to the club’s heart, the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

Through the support of the finalists (Harpenden CC, Radlett CC, Herford CC and Redbourn CC), spectators and local businesses, Chance to Shine received £1,100 towards its Schools and Street programmes from the day. 

The tournament itself was a great success too, with the host side, Redbourn Unicorns, emerging as 2017 Herfordshire U19 T20s champions.

If you've been inspired to put on your own fundraising event - or to nominate Chance to Shine as the beneficiary of something you already have planned - please get in touch with Ian Foster (020 7735 2881).