With the new National Counties cricket season fast approaching, Bedfordshire County Cricket Club has announced its new charity partner for 2026 ahead of a busier than ever schedule around the country.
Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation, who predominantly operate in Central Bedfordshire, is a local cancer charity set up by friends, Karen and Jayne after they were both diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.
They later founded the charity in 2013, and now they will be the beneficiaries of the county cricket club’s new charity drive, titled ‘Hit It For Six’, in which Bedfordshire County Cricket Club will donate £10 for every six hit throughout the season.
In 2025, the Club had food collections at all of their home games, which were then donated to IMPAKT Housing across Bedford and Luton. They are now continuing their charity work into 2026 with an issue close to many people’s hearts.
Filling a crucial gap
“We are so honoured to have been chosen as this years charity by the cricket club”, said Karen Chin of Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation.
“Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation fills a crucial gap.
“We are the only charity in our region that offers truly flexible, one-to-one support that is tailored to the individual and available from the point of diagnosis for as long as it is needed.
“Our support is not bound by treatment schedules or hospital settings. We meet people where they are; in their homes, in local cafés, in garden centres. Wherever they feel safe, seen, and heard.
“The charity would not be able to survive without the support of the local community. Sadly, as with a lot of the smaller charities, funding is becoming harder to access.
“We have been incredibly fortunate to have been supported by The National Lottery over the past three years, but unfortunately this came to an end at the end of September 2025.
“Therefore money raised by the cricket club will enable to us continue our vital services to cancer patients and their families”, added Karen.
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club will once again be playing all three formats in 2026, beginning with a pre-season friendly against an MCC Secretarial XI at Dunstable Town Cricket Club on Sunday, 19 April.
The competitive action kicks off with one of the longest trips of the season, as Bedfordshire travel to Northumberland to kick off their 50-over NCCA Trophy campaign, with the Club’s T20 games beginning in Wales at the end of May.
The two-day red ball NCCA Championship kicks off later in July with a trip to Norfolk, as Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire and Cumbria join Bedfordshire in Eastern Division Two.
The latest charity connection is one that holds a special place for one committee member in particular.
“Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation are very close to my heart, as our eldest daughter was diagnosed with a very rare cancer when she was aged 25 and sadly passed away aged 33”, says Bedfordshire CCC committee member, Linda Fisher.
“Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation support people with cancer, whether they drop round with a magazine and having a chat, or organising amazing holistic and wellbeing days when everyone feels special.
“They are just so caring. Karen still keeps in touch and attends the annual memorial matches that Bedford Girls School holds in memory of our daughter.
“I am so pleased that Bedfordshire are going to support Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation this year as I know it is getting harder to get funding and I know that they have lost their lottery funding”, says Linda.
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club are continuing to look for local businesses to sponsor the club, and sponsor this charity initiative, either in full or at individual games.
For businesses interested in offering their support, they can contact Bedfordshire CCC’s head of fundraising, Chris Tarling at fundraising@bedsccc.co.uk.
The Bedford Independent has committed as a ‘Business Plus’ partner for the season ahead, with Bedfordshire County Cricket Club part of its ongoing commitment to local sport, both on and off the pitch.
Read: Bedford Independent extends commitment to local sport with County Cricket Club partnership
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