A CRICKET club based in Bradford has raised almost £25,000 to go towards improvements of the grounds after setting up a Crowdfunding page online.

Woodlands Cricket Club, based in Oakenshaw prides itself as 'being a diverse and inclusive cricket club and an active part of the local community'. However, during the pandemic, the club has struggled due to its income being down 'considerably.'

Club Chairman, Jeremy Bleazard decided to set up a Crowdfunding page to raise money to work on ground improvements, which includes buying more picnic tables, changing the lighting in the sportshall to more efficient LED fittings, and building a new garage.

It is the second crowdfunding page the club has been set up, after a successful Covid Recovery project was launched last year and raised more than £20,000.

Club Secretary, Brian Pearson said: "When Covid hit in 2020 we had to close everything down and we chose not to participate in 2020 because of the health and safety of Covid and keeping people safe, so our facilities and income were impacted and reduced."

"What we're about is, yes being a cricket club but also being community. The money will go towards improvements of the sportshall, which is used by more than 20 BAME clubs, with more than 50 percent from the south Asian community. We also do coaching for children in there, and work with Pathways to provide sessions to schools."

It is the second crowdfunding page the club has been set up, after a successful Covid Recovery project was launched last year and raised more than £20,000.

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Mr.Pearson added: "In some ways it's a surprise to raise so much money again, we have a wonderful following, we don't have a big following, we're more a family orientated club, and what we've seen so far is a lot of people helping again but also some strangers and young people, so it's been very pleasing to see."

Sport England have supported both projects and matched the amount raised, which has been 'a big help.'

The voluntary run club was established in 1894 and is situated in the inner city of Bradford.

Mr Pearson added: "This is the brainchild of Jeremy our chairman really, yes we've all helped but our chairman needs some praise as he has inspired this and led the project, and a big thank you to everybody who has contributed and donated."

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