Step up to crease for Chance to shine

The Cricket Foundation’s Chance to shine initiative, backed by the ECB, is educating thousands of children through cricket every year and has now reached one million children since 2005.

The charity needs to raise £2.5million annually, which the Government will match-fund, to keep this ambitious programme running.

There are now three quick and simple ways for people to show their support for Chance to shine through the charity’s 2010 “Step up to the Crease!” public appeal:

1. Take part in Chance to shine’s ‘Donate your match fee’ weekend – 21/22 August 2010

The charity is calling on clubs to get involved by asking players to donate their match fee. So if your match fee is normally £7, you would pay this to the club and donate £7 to Chance to Shine.

‘Donate your match fee’ weekend is also a great opportunity to raise further funds for your club. Clubs can split funds 50/50 with Chance to shine and funds will go towards Chance to Shine activity in the county where it is raised.

See here for some club fundraising ideas

2. Buy a seat on the Chance to shine Supporters’ Stadium

For just £5 you can buy a seat and post a message on the new online Supporters’ Stadium, via their justgiving page.

In less than 5 minutes you’ll have a seat for life on this unique, virtual Stadium - click here

3. Enter the text competition

Another quick and easy way to donate to Chance to shine is to enter a text competition to win tickets to see England play Pakistan in the 4th ODI at Lord’s.

Text ‘Chance’ to 84424. Texts cost £1.50 and full details, including terms and conditions, can be found here

Prize incentives

There are some great incentives for clubs and individuals to raise money. Everyone that raises over £50 will be entered into a prize draw to win:

• A signed and framed England cricket shirt
• A Slazenger kit bag filled with coaching equipment worth £500
• A Test Match cricket tabletop game, signed and played on by World Cup winners Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Craig Kieswetter

Clubs that raise over £500 will be entered into a prize draw to win a well known cricketer (name TBC) for a presentation evening or coaching session.