Derbyshire County Cricket Club has treated a local cricket-loving family to a memorable experience at the Royal London Cup fixture against Kent.
The Club, working closely with Official Charity Partner, Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, were able to give cricket mad Mohammad, who lives with cerebral-palsy, and his family a special experience at The Incora County Ground.
While the weather did not play ball at Derby, Mohammad was able to meet members of the Derbyshire squad, including his favourite player Shan Masood, who then presented him with a shirt signed by the whole squad. He was also treated to a Derbyshire goody bag, filled with a range of official merchandise.
The family’s visit to The Incora County Ground, which was their first as cricket supporters, follows the Club’s support of the Mondli Khumalo auction. Ash Thorne, who is a long-time Member and supporter, purchased a Family Ticket for the Royal London Cup, which the Club had donated to the auction, and he then passed this onto the Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity to gift to a local family.
Khumalo, a promising young cricketer from South Africa, was attacked and left fighting for his life in the early hours of May 29 while celebrating a victory for his side, North Petherton, Somerset. The auction was set up to help aid his recovery and saw donations from all over the cricketing world.
The auction has now raised more than £25,000 across various fundraising platforms, and Khumalo has begun his recovery, after undergoing numerous operations and working through rehabilitation.
Derbyshire County Cricket Club is proud to support both the Mondli Khumalo auction and our long-standing Charity Partner, Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity and are delighted to see the enjoyment which cricket can bring to our community.
Our recent successful Community Fixture against Hampshire saw a crowd of more than 2,000, predominantly made up of local youngsters, get a taste of Derbyshire action and we hope to see many of them again for years to come.
