It may be the quintessentially English game, but a cricket-mad couple are off to Africa to help children play cricket.
Mark and Naomi Aspin, pictured, are normally to be seen at Church and Oswaldtwistle Cricket Club, but will be travelling to Freetown in Sierra Leone – and they need help from Observer readers.
They are appealing for donations of sports equipment to take with them to help communities rebuilding after bloody civil war.
Mark and Naomi, from Oswaldtwistle, are being sponsored to travel by the ‘Make It Happen in Sierra Leone’ charity which builds schools and helps support communities in the country.
Mark, 51, who is a Level 3 Head Coach, will spend time coaching local men and boys. He previously visited Sierra Leone with the charity in 2012 and said it was amazing to be returning.
Salesman Mark said: “My last visit was a real eye opener. It is amazing how these people cope every day with the smallest amounts of food and money yet still smile.
“They are so appreciative of the time you spend with them and are always so polite and well mannered.
“Many people live in tin shacks without sanitation and have very little by way of possessions. If you give them a pair of trainers they split them between two people so they can have a training shoe each. It really is humbling to see.” Naomi, 35, who is a secretary of the Lancashire Coaches Association, will coach women and girls during her stay.
She said: “Cricket to these girls is about learning life skills, camaraderie and being part of a team. It provides hope in a country still suffering with the after effects of civil war and is wholly embraced by the community.”
Michael Collin, chief executive of ‘Make It Happen’, said the charity was backing Mark and Naomi as cricket was a great way to engage young people. He said: “It is our perception that cricket is a great game for bringing the best out in young people.”
If you would like to donate any equipment such as tracksuits, T-shirts, cricket shirts, cricket trousers, trainers, cricket spikes, bats, pads, gloves or helmets contact Mark on 07931 246538.
