Derbyshire rescue fan's dream

Derbyshire County Cricket Club are coming to the rescue of 16-year-old cricket fanatic Lewis Gimple on Sunday.

His treat of a surprise ‘Cricketing Red Letter Day’ including coaching at Lord’s was cancelled at short notice due to the current difficulties of the Red Letter Day organisation, leaving a very disappointed Lewis.

As the Derbyshire Phantoms will be playing the Sussex Sharks, Lewis’ home team on Sunday, Derbyshire have invited him to spend the day at the County Ground as a VIP guest of the club. He will not only have the opportunity to meet the Phantoms, but also his home team the Sharks.

His day at Derbyshire will include lunch for him and his parents in the new Gateway building, an opportunity to meet the Phantoms and his home team the Sharks and a bowling session with a member of the squad.

Derbyshire chairman Don Amott will also organise him a day out at Lord’s to make up for his disappointment.

Keith Loring, Derbyshire’s commercial consultant, said: “Our vice-chairman read about Lewis’ plight in the national press.

“When we realised we were playing Sussex on Sunday, it was immediately apparent we could do something to help. Don Amott’s contact at Lords is the icing on the cake.

“Obviously we cannot get involved in the problem between Red Letter Days and the Gimples but having been made aware of their situation, I realised that Derbyshire were in a position to relieve Lewis’ disappointment slightly.

“We are looking forward to meeting him on Sunday and will make sure that he has a great day with us.”