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Player of the Summer Ali Brown donates £2,000 to Valley End CC.
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The PCA England Legends Player of the Summer, Ali Brown, has donated to Valley End CC, in Surrey, thanks to Greene King’s sponsorship of the programme.
The former Surrey and England opening batter visited Valley End CC to deliver the cheque in person to club Chairman, Andrew Monk.
The Legends opener was so impressed with Valley End’s disability cricket structure after visiting the club for a Legends fixture in 2023 that he chose to donate the £2,000 prize to the Surrey club.
Brown helped coach the ‘VECC Rascals’ programme before the Legends match in 2023 and was blown away by their enthusiasm and Valley End’s commitment to their disability section.
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Legends support 'VECC Rascals'
PCA England Legends Player of the Summer, Ali Brown, has donated £2,000 to Valley End CC to support their 'VECC Rascals' programme.
With an age range of eight to 34, the VECC Disability team consists of 25 players with varying physical or learning disabilities, that train at Valley End’s facility all year round, with the specialist surface catering for wheelchair use alongside able-bodied net practice.
Valley End has 600 members and the multi-purpose facility is in need of repair, enabling the club to provide provision for all of its members.
Brown won the award following a phenomenal run-scoring year, which included playing against his son at Banstead CC – the club that the 54-year-old donated to after winning the same prize last year.
PCA England Legends Player of the Summer, Ali Brown, said: “I was fortunate to win this award again and with that comes the fantastic opportunity to donate to a club of my choice. Having played and coached at the Legends game at Valley End in 2023, I saw their fantastic ‘VECC Rascals’ programme, it really blew me away and made a lasting impact on me.
“During the lunch a few of us went to play with the ‘Rascals’ and the energy when we spoke to them was awesome, so it’s something I’m proud to support. It’s a fantastic club and a worthwhile cause so I’m thankful for the money that Greene King have been able to support them with.”
Valley End CC Chairman, Andrew Monk, said: “It was great to hear that Ali had decided to donate the cheque to us, it’s vital that we can improve the playing surface in the cage, so it will enhance the provision for the VECC Disability team and everyone else in the club too.
“It was great to host the Legends last year and thank you to the PCA for making it happen, it’s a day that lives long in the memory. The Legends were magnificent coaching the ‘Rascals’. The disability section is hugely important because this is a community club, not just a cricket club.”
Great Britain wheelchair cricket captain and ‘VECC Rascals’ player-coach, Lottie Chatfield, said: “Six years ago I ended up in a wheelchair but I was lucky we had the disability section so I was able to carry on playing cricket. Having the ‘Rascals’ makes a real difference to the children, you can really tell from their behaviour, it’s a lifeline for a lot of them. The area is very costly to maintain, so the investment from the PCA and Ali is really appreciated. It’s so worthwhile when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces.”
The PCA England Legends, gives recreational clubs and schools a vehicle to raise significant funds for their community.
