Marquee Week is seen as essential to the Parkgate club’s survival and it includes the Summer Ball, the Parkgate Proms and the Sporting Lunch

Neston Cricket Club’s annual fund-raising Marquee Week has generated more than £30,000 – a record-breaking sum.

Marquee Week is seen as essential to the Parkgate club’s survival and it includes the Summer Ball, the Parkgate Proms and the Sporting Lunch, which was  sponsored by intellectual property attorneys at Forresters.

This year the Sporting Lunch welcomed former West Indies fast bowler and World Cup winner, Colin Croft, as guest speaker, who spoke to 63 businesses from across the region about his cricketing past. He was followed by comedian and television presenter Ted Robbins. 

Neston Cricket Club’s General Manager, Craig Stubbs, said: “This year we are thrilled to have raised just over £30,000. Marquee Week is vitally important to the club as we wouldn’t survive without it.

“There are always costs at the club, for example at the moment we are re-laying the artificial tennis courts at a cost of £80,000. However, we want to carry on providing the best facilities for players and supporting our younger players to reach their full potential. 

“We couldn’t do this without companies like Forresters that get behind the club. That’s why we are pleased that Forresters has agreed to renew its partnership with us for another four years.” 

In addition to its two cricket pitches, the club boasts 12 tennis courts, three squash courts and one hockey astro-pitch. There is also a boules green and space for croquet, while The Parkgate Clubhouse has  three bars, including a cafe bar, two function rooms and a meeting room. 

Some of the funding from Marquee Week will be donated to the club’s Shrimp Appeal, which was set up a few years ago by the club’s current president Tony Bush. It helps children from less privileged backgrounds get involved in sport by working with local schools to discover pupils that are doing well in a sport, but can’t afford to be a club member.

Ross Walker, equity partner at Forresters, which is based in the Port of Liverpool Building at Pier Head, added. “Marquee Week was a huge success and we are pleased to be part of this amazing fundraising event.”