Wem cricketers to virtually run to Mumbai to fund new defibrillator

While Wem has a defibrillator located near the cricket club – at the railway station – it is across the tracks, which could cause issues in an emergency should the barriers be down.

To fund a new defibrillator, club members and residents are walking, running and cycling a total of 4000 miles, the equivalent of travelling to Mumbai in India.

This location has been chosen as a virtual target as the city is the home of the club's professional cricketer for this year, who would have joined the club this summer before the coronavirus lockdown.

Club chairman Shaun Astley said members were always looking for ways to support the community.

The said: "Wem Cricket Club is proud of its links with the community and is always looking at ways to support organisations as well as the general public.

"As a club we are all very aware and appreciative of how hard all members of the NHS have worked in the most challenging of conditions during the COVID-19 crisis.

"Indeed we have a number of members who are working in the NHS and are continuing to make us proud.

"To show our appreciation to all the wonderful NHS staff we would like to raise money for the NHS."

"In addition we would also like to purchase a defibrillator to be located at our club HQ in Wem, not just for use of club members but to be made available for use by the general public.

"Wem railway crossing is notorious for problems causing long delays, there is no defibrillator located to the east of the railway crossing this despite there being a number of large housing estates and a large business park.

"Locating at a central point such as the cricket club would make this life saving equipment accessible to all, and reduce the risk of loss of life in the event of the crossing being down.

"We hope you will all support us by donating to help with these two extremely important initiatives."

To donate to the fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/shaunastley