Tara Murray
The local cricket community is coming out in force to raise funds and awareness of pancreatic cancer.
The inaugural PanKind Power Play T20 event will be held on November 24, where Yarraville Club will face the Western Colts in a T20 match at Hansen Reserve.
Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone came up with the idea of the fundraiser after his father Michael Johnstone was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year.
Michael, who helped set up the Hillside Football Club, was also a keen cricketer.
Mitch said they wanted to help raise funds with this type of cancer not as well known as others.
“It’s about bringing people together,” he said. “Whatever funds we can raise for PanKind is really good and can help others out.
“PanKind has got behind it
The stars of Yarraville Club will be in action on the day, while other positions will be auctioned off to raise funds, which will all be donated to PanKind.
The Colts was the old Sunday team of Michael Johnstone. Some of his old teammates including Tarek Moughanie and Craig Berger will play in the charity match, along with former West Indian Darrel Brown.
Some of those players have played with both Johnstones.
Mitch said there would be plenty of activities on the day to cater for all ages and to raise some money.
“There will be some games to get people involved,” he said. “We’ll have like a Woolworths Blast at half time and we’ll have hitting the signs like in the old Mercantile Mutual Cup and people have to donate if they hit them.
“There will be an auction with some Bradman memorabilia and Cricket Victoria has donated some signed Melbourne Renegades shirts.
Mitch said they were hoping to make this an annual match.
A barbecue will be held from noon and the match will start at 1pm.
Donate: tinyurl.com/2wfw29sb
