Sandford and Devon cricket lovers chip in £500 to £100,000 charity cycle ride challenge

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

SANDFORD CC and Devon CCC cricket lovers have given a helping hand to charity cyclists aiming to raise £100,000 pedalling from Land’s End to John o’Groats.

Sandford cricketer Matt Theedom and Kentisbeare player and chairman Scott Chappell have been supporting Stuart Priscott in his campaign to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Chance to Shine cricket charity.

All three friends used to work for the Devon Cricket Board, but two of them have moved on. While Theedom remains in post as managing director of Devon Cricket, Chapple is the youth development manager for the Somerset Cricket Board and Priscott works in Bristol for the Chance to Shine cricket charity.

Priscott, who played for Bovey Tracey and latterly Sandford during his time working for Devon cricket, suffers from cystic fibrosis.

The friends freewheeled into Sandford’s Creedy Park ground shortly before close of play yesterday (Monday) on day two of Devon’s game against Wales, where a reception party was waiting for them.

Also waiting for the trio, who were accompanied by friends who have joined them along the way, was a charity donation of more than £500.

Phil Matten, one of the fund-raisers, said: “People committed to donating money based on our performance in the match against Bovey Tracey last week.

“By donating a pound for every run and a fiver for every wicket we raised £324.

“On Sunday we had a good crowd here for the first day of the Devon game and a raffle organised by Matt’s dad Chris raised another £184.”

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting genetic condition that affects the lungs and digestive system and can cause chronic infections and reduced lung function. Half of those who have it die by the time the reach 41.

The three cyclists came together to honour the memory of Stuart’s late sister Jo, who died with the condition in late 2018 aged 50, and also to say thanks for the treatment Stuart has benefited from.

“Over the past 50 years I have benefited from amazing medical research and discoveries, excellent health care from the NHS and supportive family and friends and have experienced first-hand how new drugs and treatments can transform people’s lives,” said Priscott.

Priscott set a target of raising £100,000 in sponsorship, donations and auction bids for his charities. The running total going into the final two days of the cycle challenge is hovering around £86,000.

“Every donation, however small, will make a massive difference to the people Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Chance to Shine helps,” said Priscott.

You can help the fund-raising effort by logging an auction bid here or by visiting Stuart’s Virgin Money Giving page