CLUB AWARDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Middleton Cricket Club has been awarded £2052 of National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Community Emergency Fund towards covering Insurance costs for the Club during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the virus and the consequent shutdown of businesses as of March 23 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 Middleton Cricket Club to continue to operate as a going concern and assist with the costs of providing cricket to the community in Middleton once the current restrictions are lifted.

Elaine Roydes, Club Secretary said, “We are extremely grateful to Sport England for this grant assistance. It will be invaluable financial support helping Middleton Cricket Club to keep its head above water in these unprecedented and troubling times.”

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 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 multimillion pound package or 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 Middleton Cricket Club to help it through these extremely challenging times.”