LATEST NEWS

MISSION COMPLETED! thank you to everyone who has supported, shared and motivated me to get to 1000 Runs.

Here is that satisfying (and exhausted) moment https://twitter.com/i/status/1267383381471477761

With almost £900 received or on its way, I am still hoping we can hit our £1000 target and complete the run chase. This will make a big difference to a lot of people in need through the amazing work carried out every day by Swansea Foodbanks and Matthew's House.

THANK YOU - Together we have made a difference and I am truly grateful.

PREVIOUS UPDATES

Saturday evening 30th May - I have completed 800 runs and some brilliant people have donated an amazing £550 so far, with pledges due to come in.

Only 200 runs to go to 1000 and only 25 hours until the end of May

I will complete all of the runs and add some new challenges for other players to take on, and hope they will tag mates and donate. Any contributions are welcome and I will keep the page open for 2 weeks into June before passing the proceeds over to

Swansea Food Banks https://swansea.foodbank.org.uk/locations/

and Matthew's House Matthew's House

Wish me luck!

RECENT CHALLENGE EPISODE VIDEOS

Episode 8: An all-run 6 in 20 seconds?

Episode 4: 100 before lunch

Episode 1: Why 1000 Runs in May

Episode 3: "Just Tw*t it and run... (like when we were kids)"

COMING SOON (when i can put the videos together)

Episode 2: The one with the out of focus camera and the phone with no memory card.

Episode 5: Six Sixes off the Over

Episode 6: T -20 (100 runs in 20 mins) and retaining dinner

Episode 7: Stick of Rhubarb and Uncovered Pitches

WHY I LOVE CRICKET

Cricket is an extraordinary game: no other sport can match the physical and psychological battles of bat against ball, man against man, team against team, man against team-mates and players versus nature in a series of tests of wit and resilience .... seemingly all framed by cucumber sandwiches, cups of tea and pints in the clubhouse as the sun sets or the rain falls.

As the most human of sports cricket can teach us a lot about life and its challenges. The world is currently experiencing an unusual challenge, one in which sport is suspended and there is no afternoon tea.

For hundreds or maybe thousands of people in our local communities, there is no tea or lunch. For many, there is no breakfast or evening meal. Some people are really struggling to feed their families and have to rely on the excellent service provided by food banks. The food banks need our help more than ever through donations of dried and tinned produce as well as financial aid.

The aim of this cricket challenge is to raise money for local food banks and other charitable aid organisations by trying to achieve a symbolic goal that many batsmen can only dream of: to Score "1000 Runs in May" - running 1000 x 22 yards from stumps to stumps wearing full cricket kit and carrying a bat.

Who else has scored 1000 Runs In May ?

To Donate, tell me how many runs to complete (and how to score them, if you wish) and put that amount of £s into the pot.

A miserly Bowler might donate £1 so I only have to complete 1 run. That is fine by me as every £1 helps, but I am looking to rapidly up the run rate or even emulate Sir Garfield Sobers or Yuvraj SIngh and take on scoring 36 in an over. There are no bounaries - all runs are run: 36 would be six consecutive sprints of 22yards x 6. In total, that would be 792 yards.

Anyone generous to sponsor me this much can count themselves in the same class as Malcolm Nash or Stuart Broad (great bowlers who got hit out of the park - see below). Commiserations to them. Oxygen required for me!

Sir Garfield Sobers 6 sixes at St Helen's Swansea

Yuvraj Singh 6 sixes off Stuart Broad

In sponsoring the batsman, please feel free to mention the style of the runs to be scored off your bowling - such as a combination of "dabbed quick singles", an "ambled 2" or a "slogged six to cow corner". I am not averse to "squirting one into the covers" - if you want to pay, I am happy to play!

Note- JustGiving charges 25p for each donation made, so why not club together with friends, family, colleagues or team mates to make a single larger donation and ensure as much as possible goes to good causes: the real goal is to raise £1000 and top the batting averages - 1000 not out!

If you are not in a position to support the challenge financially, please feel free to share and circulate to other people. It is as important that we raise awareness of the work of Food Banks, Homelessness support services and NHS related charities.

Some of the smaller challenges might be things you could try yourself or compete against your friends: Try running a 6 in under 20 seconds. Try batting the other way round from usual (left handed, if you are usually right handed, etc) or some keepy ups with a bat and ball.

If you are a cricket lover or part of a team, why not join in and challenge your mates to score "1000 Runs in May".

The lockdown has meant this is definitely the only time I might ever manage to score 1000 and go all month not out. This could also be your best chance to join Wally Hammond and WG Grace on the 1000 Runs in May honours board.

Thanks for your help and keep an eye out for updates, photos and news.