Long Sutton Cricket Club bowled over as £1,970 crowd funder helps fix vandalised equipment

A cricket club is feeling bowled over that funds have been raised to replace vandalised equipment.

Long Sutton Cricket Club was targeted by ‘mindless’ vandals who damaged artificial turf and wickets used for all-weather training.

Julie Speed, whose son has played at the club for four years, set up an online fundraising campaign which raised £1,970 to repair the damage. And with added private donations, the work can now be undertaken at a cost of £4,600.

She said: “We are overwhelmed by the local support from the GoFundMe page, Unite Union, Brenda and Sheila at the Royal British Legion bingo club and other friends who have raised collections at their own events for the club. Thank you to everyone.”

The club is also used for family days and non-cricket events and also serves as a hub in the town. The damage was reported to police on February 21.

A police spokesperson said at the time: “We received a report that an artificial wicket at a cricket club has been vandalised and cut with a knife.

“We have reviewed the evidence and would ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the force quoting the number 25000107942.”

The new cricket season begins next month with the club hosting its first home match on Saturday, April 26.