Celebrating North Devon Cricket Club’s incredible fundraising efforts

On Saturday 10th July 2021, Devon Mind CEO Olivia and Marketing & Fundraising Officer Andre were invited to the North Devon Cricket Club’s (NDCC’s) annual sponsors’ lunch, where the club celebrates and thanks sponsors for their support during the season. With the players unable to complete pre-season training earlier this year due to the pandemic, the club has been fundraising for the charity since January with the Century Challenge, which to date has raised over £3,400!

Conceived by Tom Popham, captain of the NDCC First XI, the Century Challenge invited players and supporters to complete 100 of something — with ideas ranging from running 100 miles to completing 100 keepy-uppies by foot or cricket bat, and anything in between. “The idea of the Century Challenge is to do 100 of something physical – ideally outdoors,” Tom said in an interview with the North Devon Gazette, “as we all know how physical wellbeing can help mental wellbeing.”

Olivia and Andre from Devon Mind with NDCC First XI captain Tom Popham, who organised the Century Challenge fundraiser.

The original target was to raise £2,000 by the start of the season in April, but the club flew past the total as early as February thanks to the immense support of supporters across the South West and even overseas. As of the sponsors’ lunch, the fundraiser had reached a total of £3,425, with Tom and his teammates setting their eyes on £5,000. “It was always our intention to carry on through the summer and nothing has changed just because we have reached our target,” Tom said in February. “In my mind I feel we could reach around £5,000 by the end of the season. I am sure more friends of the club and teams who visit us will want to get involved.”

Olivia and Andre attended the sponsors’ lunch and met players, staff and sponsors at the special event, which took place during the First XI’s match against the Plympton Cricket Club. The Instow-based team beat the mid-table visitors by 7 wickets, to go top of the Devon Cricket League A Division table after eight games.

We would like to extend a huge thank-you to Tom Popham, Mark Ansell, and every single member of the North Devon Cricket Club family for their incredible support this year. Your effort will help us to reach more people across the county of Devon who need help with their mental health and wellbeing. May your winning streak continue!