T20 match for Jon Cole-Edwardes Trust
Ickwell Cricket Club have joined forces with local rivals Biggleswade Cricket Club and Blunham Cricket Club in order to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause – The JCE Trust. All of the above mentioned are very good friends with Jon Cole-Edwardes and have enjoyed playing cricket with him during his years spent in England.
Jon first came to the UK in 2003 to play a season of cricket for Biggleswade. His impact was immediate and during the 2003 season he scored an astonishing 2,499 runs at an average of 92.56. He helped Biggleswade finish 3rd in the Beds Premier League and his batting style won many admirers.
When his future wife, Sarah, came to the UK in 2004 to work, Jon got in touch and asked if he could come to Biggleswade again and this time he stayed. He helped Biggleswade to finish 2nd in the Beds Premier League in both the 2004 and 2005 seasons, and in his three seasons with Biggleswade he broke numerous batting records. In all Jon scored 19 centuries in just 3 seasons at Biggleswade and was involved in 21 century partnerships.
His time at Biggleswade coincided with the club’s remarkable run in the various evening cup competitions. He was a key member of the side that did the treble in 2004, winning the East Beds Senior Shield, Heritage Cup and Hospital Cup. In all Biggleswade won 5 evening cups between 2003 and 2005 with Jon being pivotal in their success.
At the end of the 2005 season, Jon took the decision to leave Biggleswade to join local rivals, Ickwell, who had just gained promotion to the Beds Premier League. He reduced his playing commitments to spend more time with Sarah, but continued to score runs freely over the next 5 seasons.
In 2011 Jon was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma which was surgically removed. Ocular Melanoma is a cancer of the eye, including the iris, choroid or ciliary body. Approximately 50% of patients will develop metastatic disease within 15 years of the original diagnosis and once the liver is involved, this cancer is currently incurable. In April this year, routine scans revealed that the cancer had returned and is present in his liver, lungs and pelvic bone. Jon is currently on a clinical drug trial (Sunitinib) which will hopefully stop the progress of the cancer.
The JCE Trust has been established with the following four beneficiaries identified:
Future medical expenses – To date, there is no medical cure for Jon’s condition. There is much research and trials going on all over the world. The money raised will enable Jon to immediately proceed with specialised treatment anywhere in the world when it becomes available.
Medical Research – “Cancer will eventually be conquered through Research”. Money raised will be used to support Dr Corrie of Addenbrooks Hospital, Cambridge, who is working tirelessly to support and care for Jon. To date, she has been outstanding. With more support, more lives can be saved through further research and increasing awareness of cancer and more specifically ocular melanomas. Money raised will assist this work.
Education Fund for Grace and Joel – 7months old twins to Jon and Sarah.
Footprints Into Africa – Jon feels passionately for the work being done in Africa and has played a very active role in this. Last year, Jon raised money to place a borehole in a small community in Malawi. Money raised will be used to support “FIA”, A Non- Profit Organisation with the sole aim of training and mentoring pastors to carry the gospel throughout Africa as well as uplifting communities. For more information, see www.footprintsintoafrica.com.
Our event is taking place on Friday 20th July on Ickwell Green. There will be a 20/20 cricket match and players have been selected predominantly from the 3 cricket clubs, plus a few of his friends from South Africa, now living in England, and also some additional players, who over the years have played alongside Jon at some point.
The match is due to start at 6pm. There will be rolling substitutions and a maximum of 2 overs per bowler. During the game there will be a BBQ and Chilli and donation boxes running throughout the evening.
Immediately following the game there will be an auction and then live music from two local bands – Ollie & Will and Music & Spies. The bar will be open from 6pm until Midnight with a share of the proceeds being donated to the JCE Trust.
Please come along and enjoy what should prove to be an entertaining evening of cricket, and help raise funds for this worthwhile cause.
The organisers are still appealing for items that they can auction on the evening. Please contact Adrian Faulkner on 07855 304850 (email Adyf1975@hotmail.com), Matt Twigg on 07772 438150 (email marketing@biggleswadecc.plus.com) or Neil Wildon on 07740 490994 (email neil.wildon@cedesa.co.uk).
Further information on the JCE Trust and the various fundraising events can be found on www.joncoleedwardes.co.za.
