A CRICKET volunteer will trek the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for his beloved County Durham club.
Retired civil servant Ian Palmer has committed to walking 874 miles between now and August using walking routes in the region, mostly around his town of Newton Aycliffe.
The 62-year-old has to walk between four and five miles a day – seven days a week – in order to achieve his feat.
Mr Palmer, chairman of Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club, which competes in the ECB North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League, will use the walk to raise funds to help pay for new changing rooms at his club’s ground, as it has to find £90,000 to cover the costs.
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“We’re very proud of where we’ve come over the last few years,” he said.
“We’re established in the North Yorkshire and South Durham (NYSD) League. We have junior teams at all age levels, and last year we had a ladies team and a girls team competing in leagues, so we’re really developing as a club.
“The problem we have is we’re getting changed in cabins with no running water or toilet facilities, so they’re not fit for purpose for an expanding club.”
Aycliffe Cricket Club has already acquired planning permission for the new changing rooms and fundraising started in 2019, with the club having already raised £30,000 towards its goal.
“When Covid hit we had to shelve fundraising, as a lot of funding streams were either suspended or re-directed,” said Mr Palmer.
“But we’ve resurrected our campaign now. We have applications in for funding and various events planned this year.
“I’m hoping to do my little bit to chip away at the costs.”
Ian Palmer, chairman of Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club, is walking to raise money for new changing facilities at the club Pictures: SARAH CALDECOTT
Mr Palmer has already completed 140 miles of his 874-mile challenge, and added: “I was looking for a challenge this year and it gets me out a lot more.
“My aim is to finish by August 1, which means I have to do between four and five miles every day, seven days a week, between now and then.
“But I'm well on course to hit my target so far.”
To donate towards Ian Palmer’s fundraising, go to gofundme.com/f/help-newton-aycliffe-cc-build-new-changing-rooms
Alternatively, for private donations, call Mr Palmer on 07812-069943 or email palmerian1959@gmail.com
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