Shropshire County Cricket Club players, coaches and selectors ran around the county to support a special charity challenge which has raised more than £12,000 for the Severn Hospice.
A contingent from the county club stepped forward to take part in the week-long Megametre Challenge organised by Shrewsbury Cricket Club and Haughmond Football Club.
The two Shrewsbury clubs decided to raise money for Severn Hospice following the impact of Covid-19 on smaller charities, which has meant they have had to cancel many fundraising events.
The challenge for the clubs was to run 1,000km for seven consecutive days, starting last Wednesday, May 6.
An impressive amount of more than £12,700 has currently been raised – with donations still coming in.
Volunteers from both Shrewsbury CC and Haughmond FC ran in a relay format each day.
Other sports club from around the county also got involved to help boost the total raised for Severn Hospice, which has been providing specialist care and emotional support for families living with an incurable illness since 1989.
Shropshire CCC’s Head of Academy Ian Roe said: “Mike Barnard, who has played for Shrewsbury for many years, asked if the county club players would like to be involved.
“There’s a number of Shrewsbury players in the county squad such as Mike, Matt Swift, Will Parton, Sam Ellis and Tyler Ibbotson, so we wanted to support our team mates and their club in their fundraising.
“A number of county players took part and so did James Ralph and Tony Parton, former Shropshire players who are now both county selectors.”
Ian, who ran his half-hour leg in his home town of Bridgnorth, added: “It was a fantastic initiative by Shrewsbury Cricket Club and Haughmond Football Club to get people motivated in these challenging times, to get some fresh air and to exercise in aid of such a fantastic cause as Severn Hospice.
“There may be no cricket for the lads at the moment, but this was an opportunity to test themselves and maintain their fitness levels.
“It was a chance for the county club to support Shrewsbury CC and Haughmond FC, just like so many other sports clubs from around the county did over the seven-day period.
“The majority of the senior squad which had been training over the winter took part – and we were delighted to do our bit to raise awareness.”
You can still donate to the charity challenge raising funds for Severn Hospice by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scc-hfc-megametre