A MEMBER of Middleton-in-Teesdale CC ladies team is hoping her part in cricket’s #raisethebat campaign will help raise the profile of the club’s bid to raise £80,000 for a new pavilion.
Sue Bainbridge was chosen to be part of the national campaign which highlighted the efforts of key workers who are also involved in cricket.
Ms Bainbridge has been a member of Middleton’s ladies team since its formation in 2016 and is involved in the club’s All Stars coaching programme for five to eight-year-olds.
She also volunteers with the North East Ambulance Service, is a community first responder and signed up as a volunteer patient transport driver during the Covid-19 alert.
As well as appearing on posters alongside the likes of England international stars Moeen Ali and Heather Knight, her name was emblazoned across the training top of Durham and England fast bowler Mark Wood during this summer’s series against the West Indies.
Ms Bainbridge has now received the top, signed by Mark Wood, along with a bat autographed by the England squad which won the one-day World Cup competition last year and an England sweater.
After being nominated for #raisethebat by Middleton CC stalwart Dave Garth, she said she never thought it would go this far.
“It is helping to raise the profile of the cricket club because we would love to raise enough money for a new pavilion,” she added.
Some £80,000 is needed to replace the existing facilities which were erected in the late 1970s and have reached the end of their life.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which came up with #raisethebat campaign is happy for Ms Bainbridge to make the most of her part in it.
ECB chief executive Tom Harrison added: “It was a special moment seeing players and coaches enter the pitch wearing your name on their training shirt.
“I know it meant a lot to the players and coaches,” he added.
“I want to say thank you for your dedication to your local club.
“Without players and volunteers like you cricket wouldn’t be the great sport it is and we wouldn’t be able to inspire the next generation of players and fans.”
