A 20 over cricket match will be staged on the all-weather wicket at Burley-in-Wharfedale CC on Boxing Day morning to raise funds for the Jamie Hood Appeal.

Promising young cricketer Jamie, a former member of the Yorkshire Academy, was seriously injured in a car crash whilst in South Africa coaching.

The accident has left him paralysed from the neck downwards and due to a lack of insurance his family is faced with massive medical bills.

After being flown from Cape Town Jamie has been in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield. Whilst he is now out of intensive care he still needs constant care and breathes by virtue of a ventilator.

Jamie played in the Bradford League after being a member of the Yorkshire Academy from 1994 top 1996.

He was released from the Yorkshire staff in in August 1997 and played for Nottinghamshire seconds.

In the Boxing Day game which will start at 10.30 am a Wharfedale X1 will play a Yorkshire Academy X1 which will include Surrey's new signing Gareth Batty from Bradford and Bingley and his father David, a well-known figure in Bradford League circles who has been involved with coaching at the Academy.

The Academy side is being put together by Yorkshire Cricket Development Officer Tony Bowry who will also play in the game.

The Wharfedale side will include former Yorkshire player Neil Hartley who now plays for Pudsey Congs in the Bradford League, Adrian Cowgill of Olicanians CC, former Ilkley player Jonathan Hughes; James Doherty, a talented teenager from the Illingworth club; Ilkley's Chris Quaife and leading the Burley CC contingent will be Duncan Hurd.

Organiser Brian Wheeler said they had had excellent financial support from other clubs in the Airedale and Wharfedale League as well as the £500 sponsorship from Bretts fish and chip shop in Headingley.

Former England cricketers Fed Trueman and Peter Parfitt have offered to help the appeal by using their after dinner speaking talents rather than doing something at the Boxing Day match and a date for this event will be announced later.

Refreshments will be available at the Boxing Day game, the bar will be open and there will also be a raffle in aid of the appeal with a signed bat as one of the prizes.

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