Celebrities and sports personalities will be out in force for the third charity cricket day to be held in Birmingham next month. The day is a repeat of a successful event last year which raised thousands for charity, and will take place just a day before Edgbaston plays host to the ICC Champions Trophy.
The event is organised by the Bill Lloyd Memorial Trust and will be held at Bournville Cricket Club on Saturday, June 22. It will raise cash for disability cricket in the West Midlands and the Army Benevolent Fund.
Highlight of the day will be a 40 over match between the England National Physical Disability XI and the British Army Development Squad. Other attractions will include cricket coaching sessions for youngsters, the England and Wales Cricket Board Cricket Factory, the ECB 12th Man Hub, an all-girl jazz quartet and a charity auction in front of the pavilion. There will also be a wide variety of stalls selling souvenirs, books, food and drink and ice cream.
Celebrity and VIP guests on the day will include Mike Gatting in his capacity as ECB managing director of cricket partnerships as well as former and current members of the England Test Squad and Warwickshire Cricket Club.
The Bill Lloyd Memorial Trust was set up in memory of Birmingham cricket enthusiast Bill Lloyd who died from cancer in 2007, aged 64. He began playing in the William Cowper Street School team as a schoolboy and was still playing four weeks before his death. The Fund aims to help cricket and cricketers at grass roots level.
David Lloyd, operations director of the Trust, said it would be a great day out for all the family. Admission is free, with the match starting at 1pm.
“We are looking to continue to raise the profile of disability cricket in Birmingham and the West Midlands and also give local people the opportunity to show their support to the people of the British Army who put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis in the service of their country,” he said.
“The event will also raise much-needed finance for the good causes involved,” he added.
Anyone wanting information about the day, or wishing to make donations to the charity auction can contact David Lloyd on 07764 378066.