A charitable “cricket nut” has been inspired by the Watford Observer to help in sub-Saharan African countries using the sport.
Jonathan Walmsley, 54, is hosting a charity cricket match on Sunday, July 2 at 1pm to raise money for the charity Cricket Without Boundaries.
The match will be held at Clarence Park and has attracted famous names like ex-England footballer Mick Harford and Luton Town FC manager Nathan Jones.
St Albans Cricket Club are dedicating their annual Phil Milton memorial match to supporting Mr Walmsley’s charitable efforts.
Mr Walmsley of Gainsborough Avenue will be travelling to Rwanda in October with the charity which uses cricket to promote health and social messages and provide aid.
He said: “It all started when I read the story in the Watford Observer and it had my name written all over it.
“The charity uses the medium of cricket to deliver messages, and as a life-long cricket nut, it was right up my street.
“If you think about batting, the first thing you need to do is protect your stumps and that leads to talk about contraception.
“No one is sitting in a classroom waiting to get outside, as the teaching happens through the cricket. You get to go outside and in turn they are inter-grating these messages.”
He was inspired to get involved after reading an article from the Watford Observer in Janauary about a St Albans man appealing for volunteers.
READ MORE: St Albans man appeals for volunteers for life-changing experience with Cricket Without Boundaries in Africa
The retired publishing executive has to pay for his expenses and will be raising money for in-country coaches, kit and direct tour expenses.
More than 250,000 children have been coached by volunteers from the organisation since it was formed in 2005.
To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JonWalmsley1.
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