AN annual cricket fundraising day renamed in honour of one of its organisers has raised thousands of pounds to support patients receiving cancer treatment.
Whitehaven Cricket Club hosted the newly renamed Ged Blaney and Arthur Lamb Memorial Day on Sunday.
Ged Blaney, a former Whitehaven Rugby League player, died in 2015 after a two-year battle with bowel cancer.
The event was created to raise funds for The Henderson Suite and Loweswater Suite at West Cumberland Hospital where Ged received treatment, as well as end-of-life care.
Arthur ‘Lambo’ Lamb was a key member of the committee who had helped to organise The Ged Blaney Memorial Day since 2015.
He died suddenly at his Distington home in January.
A trophy was awarded at the event in Arthur's memory by his father, Christopher Lamb. Leighton Foster (Fozdogs) took home the Arthur Lamb Young Player of the Tournament Award.
The main competition winners were ‘Steve Brown’s Barmy Army’ who beat ‘Cheaper by the Cousin’ in a well contested game... and the Plate Competition final was contested by ‘Sazball’ & ‘Fozdogs’ with the latter coming out on top in that game.
Kyle Farrell (Cheaper by the Cousin) won the player of the tournament and Lexie Foster (Fozdogs) won the Best Female player of the tournament.
The day was catered for by Sizzling Simons & Backyard Pizzaiolo. A huge number of local businesses sponsored and supported the event with prizes donated and claimed on the raffle by some lucky winners.
The organisers also managed to get their hands on some great auction items which brought in £1,550 itself.
After the cricket had finished Danny Dunnery provided live music to finish off the day.
In total, the event raised £6,650 for Henderson & Loweswater Suites at West Cumberland Hospital where Lynne Blaney will arrange the putting together of care packages for patients receiving cancer treatment.
Organiser Jonathon Stewart said: “As always, the event was extremely well supported by the local community as well as people travelling from further afield to attend – with 24 teams entering the competition.
“The competition was played in great spirits and thoroughly enjoyed by all the spectators who attended.
"Well done to all the players who took part and made it a fantastic competition.”
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