Following on from the launch of Together Through This Test, we are launching our #raisethebat campaign, intended to recognise and thank all key workers, but especially those within our cricket community who have laid down their bats to help others get through this difficult time. In honour of their dedication, we are encouraging the whole cricket community to raise their bats in tribute.
Key workers who have been nominated by their cricket clubs will be featured on over 300 billboards across England and Wales. Meanwhile the whole cricket family has been asked to shine a light on the many more key workers who deserve recognition by using #raisethebat on social media.
The campaign features billboards with England cricketers, including World Cup winners Heather Knight and Moeen Ali, raising their bat in recognition of these amazing people. The players have also paid tribute with personalised video messages to nominated key workers who are local to them.
Middlesex Cricket and the ECB are asking people to use social media, and the hashtag #raisethebat, to share stories of other key workers within the cricket family who deserve recognition.
Unsung heroes that feature include Holly Buxton, Club Secretary at Calder Grove Cricket Club in Yorkshire, who has formed a COVID-19 Workforce to support the vulnerable in her community and Dr Nasir Ali, who is an Emergency Medicine Consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Safety Officer and Event Doctor at Edgbaston Stadium.
#raisethebat is part of the game-wide Together Through This Test initiative which was launched to support and celebrate the cricket family during Covid-19.
Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, who is leading the campaign said: “It has truly been humbling to read the nominations which have shone a light on the tireless work of nurses, teachers, care workers and supermarket staff who have responded to this crisis without hesitation.
“We know there are many more unsung heroes out there so we’re encouraging people to highlight the contribution of anyone from their cricket club or community who they feel deserves recognition.”
The #raisethebat campaign launched today and is set to run until July 8.
Visit ecb.co.uk/covid-19 to find out more about resources available to you and how you can get involved in cricket-led community initiatives in your region.
