Covid-19 fund pays out to help Felbridge and Sunnyside cricketers cope with lockdown

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March has left the sport and physical activity sector facing a period of uncertainty.

In response, on March 31 Sport England announced a £195m package to help the sport and physical activity sector through Covid-19. Within the package is a £20m Community Emergency Fund of National Lottery money to deliver immediate funding to those who have a role in supporting the nation to be active but are experiencing short-term financial hardship or the ceasing of operations due to the impact of coronavirus.

The grant will allow Felbridge & Sunnyside CC to pay the costs for the maintenance of their cricket square and outfield. This will ensure that the club will be ready for cricket activity once restrictions have been lifted.

Has your club secured funds from Sport England or another source to help you through the lockdown? Tell us about it and what you will use it for - email [email protected]

Club President Graham Radford said: “During a period of much reduced income, this generous and timely grant will enable the club to meet the costs of maintaining the square and outfield. This will ensure the club will be ready for cricket activity once restrictions have been lifted."

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s Chief Executive, said: “As the body responsible for the growth of sport and physical activity participation, we want the vital grassroots organisations that make sport and physical activity happen in this country to not just to come through this crisis but to be in a position to thrive again in the future.

"The £20m Community Emergency fund, made possible by National Lottery players is part of a multi-million pound package of support we are providing to ease the pressure on a huge number of the organisations who are central to the nation’s health and wellbeing.

“We are proud to be able to provide vital funding to Felbridge & Sunnyside Cricket Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”

Felbridge & Sunnyside CC are a vibrant cricket club, holding Clubmark accreditation, providing an excellent playing experience. Emphasis is on both junior, boys and girls, and senior development regardless of age or ability in an enjoyable and friendly environment.

The club offer members the opportunity to develop positive self-esteem and realise core life values through playing cricket. They have six age groups between ages five and 17 with a total of 96 boys and girls.

* Further information on the Community Emergency Fund – including seeing if your organisation is eligible and the application process - can be found here.