This season, Essex Eagles batters’ incredible performance helped raise £1357 for Panathlon Challenge. Panathlon is a national charity that supports thousands of young people with disabilities and special educational needs by providing the opportunity to take part in competitive sports.
Even the pandemic could not get in the way of the Panathlon team’s heart-warming mission, as they adapted their resources to create a Virtual Programme. The charity delivers competitive pathways across the UK, including national finals at prestigious Olympic and Paralympic venues.
This year, Woodland Group created a £1 for every run campaign, pledging to donate £1 to Panathlon for every home run scored by the Eagles.
On Saturday 2 July, as the group games ended, the Eagles put on a record-breaking show. The team beat their previous high score, with a total of 254 runs against Glamorgan. This is the highest T20 total in 20 years at Chelmsford!
This brought the total number of runs scored at The Cloud County Ground up to 1,357, boosting Woodland Group’s £1-per-run charity pledge in support of Panathlon’s fantastic work.
The final cheque was presented by Dan Lawrence, who was selected as Man of the Match after scoring 71 from 37 balls. Lawrence handed over the cheque alongside Woodland Group Chief Executive Kevin Stevens, Company Secretary John Stubbings and Woodland Logistics Managing Director Sean Kirby.
It was gratefully received by Panathlon representatives Harry Bowtell, Adil Ghani and Ashley Iceton. Several Panathlon competitors and Young Leaders were invited along to enjoy the match and celebrations as part of Woodland’s vision to connect and create opportunities for Woodland community members and their families.
Woodland Group Chairman and CEO, Kevin Stevens, said: “We’ve been able to support both Panathlon and Essex Cricket for more than a decade now. We are aligned in our shared values of creating opportunity and connection through sport. Being able to collaborate on raising awareness of and funds for the all-important work Panathlon does, and seeing the impact made at a local level, has made this season extra special for all of us at Woodland Group.”
“It’s been amazing that current competitors, Young Leaders and school staff have witnessed the action tonight, as well as some old-timers like me and Harry,” said Adil Ghani. “Massive thanks to Woodland for a fantastic day and for their sterling support for Panathlon.”
Essex Eagles will now travel to Emirates Old Trafford to play Lancashire in their away Quarter-Final match on Friday, 8th July, a rematch of the 2019 Quarter-Final which saw Essex squeeze a win by just 6 wickets.
Essex Cricket were grateful to be a part of raising funds for such an outstanding, inclusive sports charity so connected to our own Club values.
We’d like to thank Woodland Group for this opportunity and look forward to seeing how the funds help make a positive impact for young children across the UK.
You can find out more about Panathlon and their inspiring work across the UK here.
