Cricketers from around the region have acted off their own bat to help a local sporting legend struck down by Motor Neurone Disease.
Foster’s Halifax Cricket League members will host their own ice bucket challenge at 10am at Blackley Cricket Club on Saturday, in a bid to raise £2,000 to help renowned Halifax Cricket League umpire and Calderdale cricketer, Phil Hamer, who was diagnosed with the disease in March.
League president David Normanton, chairman Anthony Briggs and secretary Neil Myers are the volunteers who have signed up to the challenge, which they hope will help fund vital but costly conversions so that Phil can continue to live at his long time home and support the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Phil, 65, of Elland, had been a dedicated umpire for 12 years until undiagnosed symptoms of the condition forced him to step down before the 2013 season ended.
His wife, Josie, who has lived with him in Catherine Street since they married 43 years ago, said: “We only found out about the fundraiser this week and it made us feel over the moon.
“The cricketing community, as well as our other friends and family have been so kind to us and what has been planned means so much to us.
“After Phil was diagnosed we’ve had to make lots of changes to the house so that he can continue to stay in it-we’ve just constructed a ramp into the house, widened three doors so Phil can get through doors with his motorised wheelchair and laminated the floors.
“We’ve also had to buy a bed settee because he can’t get upstairs any more and at the moment we’ve got to pay to have carers for times a day and to go to a local centre-it all adds up.”
Phil started his cricketing life when he was only 11-years-old as a member of Barkisland Cricket Club, where he played for 30 years before stints with Greetland, Copley and Blackley, where he remains a social member and was instrumental in forming both the junior and Sunday sections of Halifax Cricket League.
Josie said that the diagnosis of the disease, which is a rare but incurable debilitating disease that destroys the nervous system, had come as a massive blow to everyone.
She said: “He’s always been such an active person and we were absolutely gutted when we found out that he has motor neuron.
“He had been having problems walking and since March he now uses a wheelchair all the time although luckily his speech is still fine at the moment.
“We just take every day as it comes but it’s been really tough to come to terms with-we’re just really thankful to all the support that we’ve had.”
Commenting on the event, which all local clubs have been asked to support, chairman Anthony Briggs, said: “When one of your own from the family of cricket is in need then you do all you can to help.
“By the number of arms raised in the vote for volunteers I have no doubt there will also be no shortage of those queuing up to pour water for a very worthy cause.”
Any donations can be sent to the league treasurer, Bob Airey, at 2 Wentworth Close, Rastrick, Brighouse HD6 3XD.
