Four members of Bedford Cricket Club will be embarking on a marathon charity cycle ride this Summer in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation.
James Barrett, Matt Ruff, David Moore and David’s son, 16-year old Aidan will be taking part in the ‘Pedal Down to Puddletown’ challenge, where the quartet will cycle from Bedford Cricket Club to Puddletown Cricket Club in Dorset.
You can donate to this challenge here
Funds raised will be evenly split between the charity and the cricket club, with a view to upgrading the clubhouse at The Bury to make it a “more welcoming and comfortable space which can be functional year-round”.
At almost 160 miles and with a climb of more than 2000 metres, the foursome will have to have their wits about them, but with James’ brother-in-law Pete waiting to welcome them in Dorset, they are confident of completing their challenge.
“We would greatly appreciate your support and sponsorship of this event”, say the quartet of riders.
“Please give generously to motivate three middle-aged men (and a fitter 16 year-old) to conquer the hills of the South West!
“Thanks also to our much-needed support van driver Andy Commons, who will be helping us along the way”.
Support for young families
The charity ride will be one of many events at Bedford Cricket Club this Summer, all in aid of a charity close to the club’s heart.
The Ruth Strauss Foundation was set up in 2019 by former England cricket captain, Sir Andrew Strauss after his wife, Ruth passed away from non-smoking lung cancer in December 2018.
It aims to raise awareness of non-smoking lung cancers and funds for research, but also provides support to families with young children who are going through the expected death of a parent.
Sir Andrew has two children, who were 13 and 10 at the time.
Alongside the charity cycle, Bedford Cricket Club will be expanding their ‘Red for Ruth’ days from one to two, where the club turns red in aid of the charity.
The first of these days is on Sunday, 14 June, while the charity’s main ‘Red for Ruth’ day is at Lord’s today (Friday, 5 June) as England take on New Zealand in the first test match of the summer; a game that is featuring former Bedford player, Emilio Gay.
Read: The rise and rise of Emilio Gay : By those who watched him grow at Bedford Cricket Club
The second ‘Red for Ruth’ day will be on Sunday, 5 July as Bedford Cricket Club’s Women host Luton at The Bury in the Hertfordshire Women’s Cricket League.
Between those two dates is the cycling challenge, taking place on Saturday, 27 June and with a fundraising target of £5,000, the race is on ahead of a daunting climb to Dorset.
You can donate to their challenge here, while more information on the Ruth Strauss Foundation can be found via their website homepage here.
