Marldon CC chairman heads to Rwanda to help Cricket Without Boundaries

Marldon CC chairman and Paignton 4s captain, Nick Glanfield, is heading to Rwanda next month as part of Cricket Without Boundaries' (CWB) 2023 programme.

CWB have used cricket as a development coaching model to increase HIV/AIDS education and awareness, promote gender equality, and to support refugees.

"It's something I've seen in previous years when the ECB and Devon Cricket have shared it, but it was never the right time to do it," Nick tells us. "Helping others, and seeing and experiencing new things is something I really like to do, and when I saw it come up this time around I thought there was an opportunity to find the time more easily."

Rwanda, however, was not Nick's initial choice of destination. "I did put Nepal down as my first choice, but that would have been in the autumn and it coincided with my eldest son starting a new job in London and my younger son potentially going to university. I didn't think it would be a time to be running off and leaving the family!"

Having now decided on Rwanda, he is due to set off for a fortnight in Africa on February 24, but this is not where Nick's involvement with CWB begins. The group that is due to depart for Kigali in just over a month have already met virtually and they are set to finally meet in person for a pre-trip training session in Coventry next week.

"We have a weekend of learning about what we're set to do while we're out there: all the different health messages, particularly around AIDS and HIV, and how to link this messaging to cricket coaching."

As part of the trip, Nick has been tasked with raising £950 to help fund the cricket equipment that will be left behind in Rwanda after they have finished and their accommodation whilst in Africa. He also needs to raise funds in order to cover his own travel and vaccination costs: "In itself, it's nearly £400 for vaccinations alone!

"I've got a Just Giving page set up, which is currently 40% of the way to its target and I've also organised a Gala Charity Evening on the 3rd of February at the Livermead Cliff Hotel. My son's a DJ and he's also in a band that are going to be playing on the night, and I'm currently working on collecting items for the auction and prize draw.

"Any additional funds raised on the night will be shared with the Trevor Ward Foundation, who help fund up-and-coming aspiring youngsters in sport, and Marldon Cricket Club."

Nick is hoping to turn the Gala Evening into an annual event, either to raise money for different charities or to potentially fund future CWB trips: "With Cricket Without Boundaries, if you've been once then you tend to do it a few times."

If you would like to help support Nick, you can donate on his Just Giving page or purchase a ticket for The Big Gala Charity Evening on February 3.

CWB works with partners around the world to grow the game of cricket while using the sport as a platform for health education and social change. Applications have now reopened for volunteers for their Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024 projects.