PLAYERS and supporters of Chelston & Kingskerswell CC have been showing their backing for the NHS in a practical way.

Custom-made shirts beating the club badge and the message 'Thank You NHS' were ordered up by chairman Mark Faulkner and sold out fast.

More than 50 shirts were snapped up and the £250 raised forwarded to the palliative care team at Torbay Hospital.

“The money raised will go towards overnight bags containing deodorant, flannels, toothpaste and toiletries for those staying overnight with friends or family on the ward,” said Faulkner.

“There has been a lot of pressure on the NHS during the Covid-19 crisis and we wanted to do something practical to show our support.

“As a club we try to put something back into our local community every year, such as raising money for Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay.

“Club members could not get their hands in their pockets quickly enough to support this very worthy cause.

“We advertised the shirts through social media in Kingskerswell and thanks to the villagers we sold out.

“Wes Fowler at Devon County Sports in Paignton did us a cracking deal on the shirts to get this project started.”

Chelston & Kingskerswell would normally be approaching the halfway stage in their league season right now, but due to the Covid-19 crisis have yet to play a game.

Faulkner said all sections of the club are training in anticipation of getting the all-clear to start playing, but he is not keen on commencing too soon

“Colts and seniors have started training on a Saturday but there is still the feeling we would normally be preparing or travelling to a league game,” said Faulkner.

“It is a really difficult and frustrating time for everyone but as much as we would like to play competitive cricket we must be aware of the bigger picture. 

“Lives are still being lost and the staff of frontline services must be protected.”