Abingdon Vale Cricket Club has been hit for six after construction company Leadbitter donated £5,000 worth of building services to refurbish the clubhouse as part of a national campaign to improve grassroots facilities in the sport.

David Ward, Head of Fundraising and Sponsorship at the club, was bowled over by the generosity of Leadbitter after he approached Group Chief Executive Bob Rendell requesting sponsorship under the NatWest Cricket Force 2008.

Thousands of people across the country will flock to their local cricket clubs this weekend (April 4, 5 and 6) as part of the NatWest Cricket Force campaign to help repair their local grounds ahead of the new season.

Leadbitter's Special Projects Division is replacing ceilings within the club house this week. 

Leadbitter staff will also be contributing their time this weekend when Abingdon Vale Cricket Club opens its doors (between 8am - 5pm) and invites members of the public to help paint, repair fencing and carry out other valuable maintenance work before their new season starts on April 19. 

"Nobody at the club thought for a minute that we would have received the kind of support we have from Leadbitter," said David Ward.

“They really have been brilliant and we are delighted that they have taken the NatWest Cricket Force scheme so seriously.”

Bob Rendell, Group Chief Executive of Leadbitter, added: “Leadbitter is committed to support the communities in which we work and in particular to encourage youth development. The NatWest Cricket Force 2008 is an opportunity for everyone to come together and help make a difference.”  

David Ward said: “We are opening the doors of the cricket club this weekend and we would love to see as many people as possible come down and help us with the many repair and maintenance jobs we need to do before the season starts.”

In 2007 more than 80,000 volunteers helped 1,150 cricket clubs across the country make improvements to their local clubs worth an estimated value of £35,000,000 under this scheme.