By Tyler Lewis
The Pakenham Cricket Club went to and over the boundary for well-needed relief.
Before the first round back after the holidays break, Pakenham announced they would donate $5 for every four and $10 for every six one of its players hit on Saturday throughout the West Gippsland Cricket Assocaition to the bushfire relief that has touched the hearts of every Australian.
In addition to the fours and sixes fundraiser, the club offered $50 for every win the Lions collected on Saturday.
After a tremendous day for the cricket club, the Lions raised $1070 for the bushfires that had destroyed kilometres of homes, land and heartbreakingly taking lives and devastating Australia’s trademark wildlife.
First XI star, Dale Tormey blasted 70 on the weekend, which included four boundaries and three maximums, adding $50 to the kitty off his own blade.
Pakenham Cricket Club president Phil Anning said the club had no hesitation in raising money for a cause that has touched the entire nation.
“We see ourselves as a bit of a community club,” he said.
“We decided we would come up with something that would be a bit more novel than making just a cash donation and try to raise money through incentive for the players.
“I don’t think there would be anybody who hasn’t been affected in some way with what has happened nationwide, we just felt as a club it was important to show our support for the communities that have been affected.”
Anning said while the club was raising some well-needed funds for a great cause, players and clubmen found opponents within themselves to see which side was the most generous with bat in hand.
“I think there was a bit of banter between the players from each respective side,” he said.
“It was a challenge to see which side could raise the most money through fours and sixes.
“What we did to get the incentive for each side was for the side that raised the most money they all got a free drink on the club.
“It gave them a bit of incentive to go out and have a bit of fun, firstly win the game, and secondly if the boundaries come then that was a bonus for our fundraiser.”
