Bumper bank holiday weekend of charity cricket in memory of Hartlepool Cricket Club favourite Ian Jackson
A bumper Bank Holiday weekend of cricket is planned at Hartlepool Cricket Club in August with all proceeds going to the local hospice.
Organisers are hoping to repeat last year’s success in raising thousands of pounds towards the worthy cause.
Hartlepool’s Park Drive ground will firstly host the annual double wicket competition in memory of club legend Ian Jackson on Sunday, August 30.
This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary since the Park Drive favourite sadly passed away at the age of 47.
The following day - Monday, August 31 - Hartlepool Cricket Club’s Over 40s football team will take on Hartlepool Cricket Club’s Over 40s cricket team in a 20-over challenge game.
The Over 40s football team launched the charity match last year and raised an amazing £5,500 towards the “invaluable service” provided by Hartlepool’s Alice House Hospice.
Ian Jackson’s wife, Louise Jackson, said: “2026 is the 10th anniversary of Ian’s passing so we are making the event extra special this year.
“As well as the double wicket competition – which always gets great support – we will be putting bands on in the evening and raising money for the local hospice.”
Nic Smith, the manager of the Hartlepool Cricket Club Over 40s football team, said: “Last year’s inaugural event was a tremendous success, raising £5,500 for Alice House Hospice, so we have decided to make it an annual event.
“Since the Over 40s football team has been based at Park Drive, we have received fantastic support from the Cricket Club. This is our way of saying thank you and raising much-needed funds for Alice House Hospice in the process.”
John Relton, the chair of Hartlepool Cricket Club, said: “The Ian Jackson Memorial Double Wicket Competition has been a very important event in our cricketing calendar for a number of years, and it is great that the Over 40s charity match is now an annual event.
“Alice House Hospice provides an invaluable service to the people of our town, and we are delighted to play our part in helping to fundraise.”
The fun on both days will get under way around noon.