Specifically, we are raising £5000 to help Far and Wide Cricket to:

1. Set up a formal non-profit organisation to continue delivering its great work so far (see background below) and manage its own fund-raising capabilities so it can sustain its own long term goals. Estimated cost for legal entity set up, operational and implementation costs for 2024/2025 are £1000.

2. To continue delivering cricket camps all over Zimbabwe following successful events in Harare (Dec 2022), Mutare and Rusape (Jan 2024). The cost of the camps based on experience is £2500 (for approximately 500+ children)

3. To facilitate the camps and empower the schools and community programmes we need fund to enable shipment of unused or donated cricket equipment kindly donated by UK cricket clubs and schools to Far and Wide Cricket for 2024 / 2025. This is estimated to be £1500 (approx. 180kgs of bats, clothing, protective equipment etc).

Background

I first met Marshall Musekiwa - a local coach and cricket enthusiast, in Harare during a camp organised by a fantastic charity called Let Girls Run Read Grow. Marshall and I instantly struck up a cricketing conversation and found we both shared the same vision – that is to see the game as means to empower children, schools, and communities against many social, psychological and poverty driven challenges. Through active play and organised games, the children can remain engaged and grow in confidence. Many are left idle and at the mercy of drug pushers and abusers.

Marshall has been on this journey for many years however due to lack of equipment, funding and support his plans have been hindered. I felt there was an opportunity here for us to work together here and have formed an initiative called Far and Wide Cricket.

Far and Wide Cricket

We recognised the need to start demonstrating the goals of Far and Wide Cricket from concept to practical implementation. The idea of hosting camps was developed which included teaching the basics of the game to children, teacher and programme coordinators so they can continue game-play in fun environment.

Our first formal camps to were delivered in December 2022 with over 250 children participating in 3 schools/community programmes across Harare. Our fundraising campaign supported the shipment of donated equipment to enable the camps to be executed all logistical costs as well - See here our video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPyDta8uAiQ

In 2023 we have continued to work with the schools/community programmes to embed the game through equipment donations and follow up sessions. Our focus was to develop a web presence – our basic website which is still under development and refine the camp programme agenda with plans to deliver into communities outside the capital.

In 2024, Far and Wide held its second major camp in two towns outside Harare – Rusape and Mutare where over 200 children participated in the camps. Far and Wide will continue to support the schools and community programmes to embed the game into their daily activities.

We are at a stage now where we need support to develop our long-term plans. Establishing a formalised entity in Harare will enable us to raise funds locally and internationally through donations. Our team of volunteers are ready to help but require the governance and support to execute.