Dad and I always said we were going to do a challenge to raise some money for Open Hands after I’d completed my A levels and the Covid 19 crisis only emphasised the need to do this. At a time when many have been severely hit by the pandemic, Open Hands have kept their doors open throughout, offering essentials , such as food and toiletries,  to those in need, and enabling them to have the simple things we take for granted. Over the past 10 or so years, they have helped thousands of people in Leicester offering them supplies and opportunities they would otherwise not receive

So, to the actual challenge… We spent a good while evaluating our options and working out what was possible in the current climate. The inability to stay overnight anywhere had us stumped for a while, but on what Dad would describe as a “very painful run” along the canal and back down the Great Central Way, we had our epiphany. We decided that to celebrate the return of recreational cricket, why not cycle and pay a visit to the grounds that we would’ve played at this season James Div 2 and Dave Div 6 East). So that was it. The plan was set. And that’s what we’re going to do. So on the 23rd July, starting at our clubs 3rd XI ground in Houghton and ending at the hallowed turf of Wadkins Way (the home of the mighty Houghton and Thurnby!), we’re going to visit all 21 grounds by bike in one day, covering a distance of around 130 miles (probably more once we’ve got ourselves lost a few times)!

We’ll be visiting:

Houghton on the Hill CC

Leicester Caribbean CC

Electricity Sports CC (3rd XI ground at WQE)

Asian Sports CC (3rd XI ground in Birstall)

Queniborough CC

Melton Mowbray CC

Egerton Park CC

Shree Sanatan CC

Sileby CC

Shepshed CC

Ibstock Town CC

Kirby Muxloe CC

Barwell CC

Earl Shilton CC

Blaby CC

Whetstone CC

Dunton Bassett CC

Market Harborough CC

Illston Abbey CC

Billesdon CC

Houghton and Thurnby CC