A CRICKET-LOVING Bishampton fishmonger will bring together stars from the world of sport and entertainment in a special fund-raising match.
Teenager Harry Dyke’s team will meet the world-famous Bunbury XI at Ragley Hall on Sunday, June 14, with the target of collecting £20,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and the English Schools Cricket Association.
Nineteen-year-old Harry is the fourth generation fishmonger at Hillers Fish Shop at Hillers Farm Shop, near Alcester, so his celebrity team will be called Harry the Fish XI.
Former Aston Villa and England footballer Paul Merson, England Twenty20 World Cup winner Ryan Sidebottom and former Worcestershire cricketer Chris Whelan have already been named in Harry’s team, with more to be announced.
The Bunburys, the biggest charity cricket team in the world which has raised more than £17 million, will have the Weasley twins from Harry Potter, James and Oliver Phelps, and ex-Worcestershire and England player David Smith among their ranks.
Harry’s friendship with Bunburys founder Dr David English, the former manager of the Bee Gees and friend of Eric Clapton, sparked the plan to arrange the match and the Marquis of Hertford has granted them permission to play at Ragley Hall.
Harry said: “Cricket is a big passion of mine and I’m delighted to have my own team to play the Bunburys.
“I’ve know Dr Dave for years after I went to watch the Bunburys play. He came up with the idea of Harry the Fish and now I’m really excited to be playing at Ragley Hall and raising cash for such great causes.”
The fund-raising day will also include an auction and items already donated include a signed guitar from Barry Gibb, an
England cricket sweater signed by all the players and a collection of coins marking the 1970 football World Cup donated by the Evesham Hotel. They are hoping for more donations to add to the fund.
Last year Harry collected £250 for the Abbots Morton Bell Tower Appeal with his ‘Guess the Weight of the Halibut’ competition.
Visit www.bunburyragleycricket.com or contact Harry on 01789 491955 for more details about the Bunburys cricket match.
