Fourteen young cricketers from Durham are swapping bats for walking boots as they take on a ten-mile trek in the hope of funding a trip to Dubai to take part in a prestigious competition.
All aged just 15 and under, the boys from Durham Cricket Club’s Under-16 squad are walking from Durham's Riverside Ground, in Chester-le-Street, to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland — to help raise the £14,000 needed to cover the costs of playing in the Dubai Gulf Cup
The lads are "very keen" to raise the funds themselves - step by step - to support their trip, via their JustGiving page.
Andy Walker, 53, from Darlington, is the father of young cricketer Harry Walker, 15. He praised his son's initiative and said he and his wife, Adele, 46, are proud of what the team are doing.
He said: "They're not receiving a great deal of help, so they got their heads together and decided on a sponsored walk.
"They're doing the Riverside to the Stadium of Light to go toward the cost of the trip. They're just trying their best to raise a few quid and doing the best that they can."
If they can fund the trip, the team will take part in the Dubai Gulf Cup against other Under-16s clubs across Europe, including some that may be "older and stronger" than them.
"As a parent, it's quite financially tough," added Andy.
"We have to go all over the place for his cricket, so it's nice the lads have learnt the value of earning it themselves and haven't just had it handed to them.
"If you asked any of them, they'd all say they want to be professional cricketers. Cricket is Harry's life - he's played since he could pick up a cricket bat and I think it's the same for them all."
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The squad consists of 14 young boys: Bertie, Alfie, Harvey, Xavier, Parker, Harry, Myles, Sam, Harry, Lennon, George, Zac, Oli and Henry.
Andy added: "They're a tight bunch and they've got a common goal and come together for it.
"Obviously, as parents, we'll help them out as much as we can, but for them to get out and walk ten miles for it shows a great deal of commitment."
Andy added that they are still searching for sponsorships or donations from people or businesses in the area.
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