A group of cricketers will be climbing the UK’s three tallest mountains in 24 hours to raise money for charity next month.
Bidborough Cricket Club’s Eli Clarkson, 28, Dom Trett, 30, George Alton, 28, and Michael Waller, 26, will be putting their bodies on the line as they take on three mountains in 24 hours to raise money for The MND Association.
The players, known as the ‘4 Goons’, decided to take on the Three Peaks Challenge following news that their former club skipper, James Baldock, had sadly been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in March, aged 46.
Dom Trett, one of the 4 Goons, told the Times: “We had made the decision to do a challenge but wanted to find a reason close to our hearts, and this certainly is a great reason.
“Balders [James] has and always will be a legend of Bidborough Cricket Club, whether playing or supporting, but has also been an inspiration and led by example to other sporting clubs and all other aspects of life.”
The challenge requires the fundraisers to reach the summit of each of the three highest peaks in the UK: Ben Nevis, Scotland; Scafell Pike, England and Snowdon in Wales.
A support car will transport the four teammates between each mountain.
A total ascent of 3,064 metres in 24 hours may seem a slog, but the four cricketers have been putting in months of training and are hugely motivated to complete it, particularly by the man who inspired
the fundraiser.
James, a father-of-three and former Skinners’ schoolboy, was a formidable force on the cricket field.
He represented Kent County Cricket Club into his early 20s, played at the Nevill Ground for Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club and successfully captained Bidborough’s team from 2013-2019, winning several league titles in this time.
His teammates describe him as “the best fielder and most dominant batsman they’ve ever seen”.
Earlier this week the 4 Goons’ fundraising page already showed over 90 donations, with comments giving a glimpse not only of a talented sportsman, but of the “special person” James is, too.
James and his family are keen to raise awareness for MND and The MND Association and are in full support of the men’s challenge.
The 4 Goons have received an “overwhelming” amount of support, surpassing the initial £2,000 target and thus increasing their target to £10,000. As the Times went to press, the group of four had already raised £4,469.
The MND Association works towards improving access to care, research and campaigning for those living with or affected by MND across the UK.
The men will be taking on the Three Peaks Challenge on September 23.
You can help the 4 Goons reach their target here: tinyurl.com/4uhxefmd
