Worcestershire Cobham Cricket Trust are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Bishop Fleming, who will assist the newly reformed trust with tax compliance and carry out an Independent examination of the accounts.
The Cobham Trust is working in partnership with the Worcestershire Cricket Board Limited in order to generate much needed resources to boost recreational cricket across the county.
The tie-up will generate further resources to go back into supporting clubs and furthering opportunities for new and disadvantaged players.
Some of the main aims of The Trust are to try and ensure 40,000 children have "bats and balls in their hands by 2020", to take the game into disadvantaged areas, to deliver street cricket in various cities and towns, and to expand disability cricket programmes.
Now WCBL Cricket Development Director Tom Hill is happy to report that the required structure is in place – thanks to the support of Bishop Fleming and Harrison Clark Rickerbys – for the partnership to press ahead with striving to achieve its goals.
Tom Hill said: "We have put in a lot of work behind the scenes in order to get the required structures in place.
"Now we are finally there, we are extremely grateful to Bishop Fleming and Harrison Clark Rickerbys who have been a huge support in getting the Trust set up and established on the right playing field.
"They have helped us get the governance and structures in place which are so important for a charity.
"Thanks to support from The Trust, the Cricket Board have already got to work, introducing over 16,000 school children to cricket over the last two years, so we are well on track to achieve our 40,000 target by 2020."
The trustees are also appreciative of support from Worcestershire CCC, who will signpost all online purchases to provide a donation to The Trust which can claim gift aid.
Tom Hill explained: "We have now got an opportunity whereby anyone who buys a ticket for an event at New Road – whether that be a concert, match, outdoor cinema etc – will automatically have the opportunity of donating to the Trust all via the Worcs CCC website.
"At the moment we've raised just over £800 through that which is thanks to the generosity of members and supporters.
"You can give something back to the local community. All of those donations effectively support local kids and disadvantaged people right here in Worcestershire.
"It is not something that goes into a national pot and doesn't come back. This is all about local people supporting a local charity and helping to change lives through cricket.
"All of these donations help us to fund and deliver and help young people across the County."
Ian Smith, Chair of Bishop Fleming commented: “This is a fantastic initiative to give young kids that might not get to try cricket the chance to enjoy this great game with all the health, social and educational benefits that brings.
"My colleague, Jon Sparkes, who is a Charity Tax Specialist, has been heavily involved in the set up work. "Jon, who is also the Finance Director of Devon Cricket and a passionate fan of the game, will provide continuing advisory support.”
