The second Huw Thatcher Upperthong Cricket Club cycle challenge was a real success: thank you to everyone

With thanks to everyone involved, we had a great (and tiring!) family day out on Saturday 28th July.  Everyone had a good time and we raised £750 at the same time.

Once again Upperthong Cricket Club put on a wonderful day out – to remember Huw, have fun, achieve something meaningful and raise funds for Huw’s Trust.

The 42 mile ride included 4,200 feet of climbs – plus of course 4,200 feet of descents – and very little flat!  So that was quite an achievement for all the riders, which would have been impossible without the support vehicles and personnel involved in the day too.

Nearly 50 riders took part which was more than last year and really does show what a great reputation was build in the ride last year and equally how highly everyone regarded Huw and the efforts that are being made to remember him and raise funds for brain injured people.

The day started with the chance to take on board much needed ‘fuel’ in the form of bacon sandwiches and the ride up to Thurstonland (which included a descent and assent of course!)  We then visited another 14 cricket grounds making 15 in total – 1 for every one of Huw’s beautiful years.  We visited a number of grounds where we had seen Huw play such as Almondbury Weslyans and Honley – the latter of which brought lovely memories for Carys and I of Huw lofting a beautifully timed 6 into a neighbouring garden 2 years ago.

The ride finished with 2 long climbs up ‘Rotcher’ to Cardworth Moor and then back to Upperthong – each climb being around 600 feet each!

It was lovely to see so many people with smiles on their faces helping others out and doing something positive – girls and boys who were in school with Huw since he was 5 – cricket teamates – families from Upperthong – along with Huw’s sister, cousins, uncle, aunt and Dad.  An uplifting day.

The day finished with food, music, an auction of an Andy Booth football item, and presentations at the Cricket Club.  Congratuations to Zac Sleney who at 10 years of age was the youngest participant and who was awarded with the Commitment Award for the day.  And everyone received a ‘Remembering Huw Thatcher’ medal as a momento for the day, which was a lovely touch.

The funds will be added to the total raised in the next week.

With many thanks to the cricket clubs who welcomed us, the kind people who made donations, the kind auction donation and purchase, the riders who were amazing, the support crew, everyone who helped at the cricket club in the evening and most of all to Rob and Joy Oakley who once again showed the commitment, loyalty, organisation skills and good humour – that clubs and communities like Upperthong rely on.  With love and thanks to everyone ♥♥♥