More than £9,000 has been raised in just 21 days to help give a cricket club a sustainable future and support its academy.

Beaminster Cricket Club launched its #SupportBeaminsterCricket Crowdfunder campaign and has raised £9,355.

With contributions from more than 25 local businesses, many generous pledges from the community and £2,400 from Sport England's Return to Play: Active Together grant scheme, the club can now move forward and plan for a sustainable future.

The money raised will be used to support the development of young players through its academy, improve facilities and cover operating costs.

Ross Baker, chairman of Beaminster Cricket Club and youth co-ordinator, has praised the local community for supporting the club.

He said: "This is a fantastic achievement, we are extremely grateful to the generosity of our supporters.

"The money raised by the campaign will make a huge difference to our club, we will be able to further invest in our academy which offers a training and mentoring programme for young people and by improving our facilities, we will be able to drive up playing standards and open up cricket to many more people.

"A huge thank you to all those who have helped us out."

The campaign also received endorsement from Michael Dooley, High Sheriff of Dorset and advisor to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

He said: "Clubs such as Beaminster Cricket Club matter for so many reasons, they play an important role in keeping people active and in improving their physical and mental wellbeing and they build stronger communities.

"Through its youth development programme, the Beaminster Cricket Academy helps local young people channel their energies and interests and nurtures their ambition and aspirations, offering a starting point in discovering bright new sporting talent.

"I very much look forward to following the progress of all the young cricketers coming through the academy for many years to come."

The club, which provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to come together to play sport, welcomes new players and volunteers.

For juniors, youth winter training takes place between 9.15am and 10.30am every Saturday morning at Beaminster School, changing from mid-April to 9am to 10.30am on Saturday mornings at the Memorial Playing Field.

The club will be running All Stars and Dynamos on Thursday evenings between 5.30pm and 7pm during May and June, with matches held for under 10s on Sundays, under 12s on Monday evenings and under 16s on Tuesday evenings.

Senior indoor net sessions begin on Tuesday, February 22 for six weeks at the Sir John Colfox Academy, 7pm to 8pm and costs £3 per session.

For more information, visit beaminstercricket.co.uk

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