Our story

This September, an amazing team of runners will take on the Great North Run to support Durham Cricket Foundation and help transform lives through the power of cricket.

Every day, Durham Cricket Foundation delivers programmes that create opportunities, improve wellbeing and bring communities together across the North East. From supporting children in hospital, to creating inclusive opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, to inspiring the next generation of women and girls in cricket, our work reaches over 30,000 people each year.

This year, our runners have chosen to support one of three important Foundation projects. By donating, you'll help them make a lasting impact in the area they care about most.

Why the project matters

Great North Children's Hospital

For six years, Durham Cricket Foundation coaches have been bringing cricket-based games and activities onto the wards at the Great North Children's Hospital, bringing moments of fun, learning and connection for young patients during long days of treatment.

For children spending weeks or even months in hospital, these moments can provide a welcome distraction, something to look forward to and a sense of normality during a challenging time.

This year, we want to do even more.

Funds raised through our Great North Run campaign will help us enhance the project by creating additional experiences and special moments for children and families beyond our regular delivery. This could include helping us fund Christmas gifts during our annual player visit, unique live cricket experiences, special events and activities, and initiatives such as live-streaming matches in the hospital cinema for patients and families to enjoy together.

Every child deserves moments of joy, excitement and connection, regardless of the challenges they may be facing. By supporting this project, you'll help us continue creating memorable experiences that brighten hospital stays and create positive experiences for children and their families during tough times.

Patient testimonial:

"Thanks to your competitive, enjoyable and genuine sessions you have not only made me enjoy cricket... but helped my recovery massively."

SEND Cricket Pathway

Launched in 2026, Durham Cricket Foundation's SEND Cricket Pathway is designed to create meaningful development opportunities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities who want to progress in the game.

Alongside five free community cricket hubs delivered across the county, the Foundation identifies and invites the most talented and committed participants to join the SEND Player Pathway. The pathway provides monthly development sessions all year round alongside playing opportunities and fixtures throughout the season.

Our ambition is simple: talented young people with SEND should have access to the same opportunities to develop, improve and represent Durham as any other aspiring cricketer.

The Foundation is currently self-funding the programme because we believe financial barriers should never prevent a young person from accessing high-quality development opportunities. Just like our other player development programmes, we are committed to keeping the SEND Pathway free for participants and their families.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the programme and continue creating opportunities for future generations of players, we need support from people who share our vision for a more inclusive game.

Funds raised through this campaign will help us continue delivering free pathway sessions, provide specialist coaching and playing opportunities, and support our ambition to establish a Durham representative team for SEND players.

By supporting this project, you'll help talented young people develop their skills, build confidence and achieve their potential through cricket.

Women's & Girls' Cricket

Women's and girls' cricket is experiencing unprecedented growth, and Durham Cricket Foundation is committed to ensuring that every girl who wants to play cricket has the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive in the game.

From introducing girls to cricket for the first time through schools and community programmes, to supporting talented players on their development journey, the Foundation plays a vital role in creating opportunities across the county.

As interest in the women's game continues to grow, so does the demand for high-quality coaching, development opportunities and clear pathways for players to reach their potential. We want to ensure that more girls can access these opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Funds raised through this campaign will help us strengthen and expand our work with women and girls, supporting coaching programmes, development opportunities, player experiences and initiatives that inspire the next generation of female cricketers.

By supporting this project, you'll help create more opportunities for girls to build confidence, develop new skills, form lifelong friendships and achieve their ambitions both on and off the cricket field.

Together, we can help ensure that the next generation of women and girls see cricket as a game where they belong, can succeed and can dream big.

How you can help

Give what you can – even £1 moves us closer to our goal.

Share this page with friends, family and colleagues.

Cheer on our runners on race day. They are taking part in a campaign that's vitally important to us.