Lancashire launch floods appeal

Lancashire have launched a Red Rose Floods Appeal to raise an initial target of £10,000 which will be used to help communities in the county that have been badly affected by the recent floods.

Lancashire's head coach Ashley Giles said: "Our thoughts are with those communities who have suffered with the flooding especially at this time of year.

"Together with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and Lancashire Cricket Board we have launched the Red Rose Floods Appeal on JustGiving to help raise crucial funds that will support people in Lancashire who have suffered real heartache and misery due to the floods.

"We hope that as a famous Lancashire institution we can encourage people to dig deep and donate what they can spare to help their fellow Lancastrians in their hour of need."

Eight clubs in Cumbria and one in Lancashire have so far been identified as severely affected by the floods - although that list might be far from complete.

Clubs that were severely affected include Appleby CC, Carlisle CC, Cockermouth CC, Edenhall CC, Kendal CC, Keswick CC, Rockcliffe CC and Workington CC in Cumbria and Garstang CC in Lancashire.

All clubs need a substantial amount of work and resource to give them a possibility of hosting cricket in 2016.

Yorkshire have already requested infoirmation from crisis-hit clubs and promised financial backing.

The disruption caused by the storms comes against a backdrop of reduced participation figures in England with many amateur clubs struggling to survive financially.

Lancashire and Yorkshire make up around 25% of club cricket played in England.

More information at the Red Rose Floods Appeal