England players Tim Bresnan, Katherine Brunt and Jenny Gunn will attend Copley Cricket Club on Sunday - adding their support to the NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser initiative that runs over the bank holiday weekend (27th-29th August).

(PHOTO: England and Yorkshire's Tim Bresnan will be mucking in at Copley this weekend. Why not go along and lend him a hand?)

The England stars will be joined by NatWest Cricket Club Captain, Michael Vaughan, as they support the festivities and encourage the local community to do the same at the 2011 showcase club in Halifax, West Yorkshire. So if you are in the area this weekend why not go along and lend a hand?

NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser was introduced in 2010 to encourage communities to come together and support their cricket clubs through fundraising events. The initiative aims to help clubs raise funds to undertake facility improvement as well as assisting with ongoing maintenance costs.

Last year, 148 clubs took part raising over £200,000 through a range of different events. 2011 will see the number of clubs more than double as 330 clubs have already signed up to run events ranging from family fun days, to cricket tournaments over the NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser Bank Holiday weekend. 

NatWest and the England and Wales Cricket Board are recommending the money raised by clubs during the NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser weekend is used for short term requirements, and much needed regeneration projects during the 2012 NatWest CricketForce weekend, which takes place on the 30th, 31st March and the 1st April 2012. 

ECB Managing Director of Cricket Partnerships, Mike Gatting is encouraging communities to celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend by enjoying festivities at their local club’s NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser event and said: “Cricket clubs at all levels of the game rely on the financial support of members and the local community who all enjoy the facilities. By joining in activities over the Bank Holiday weekend communities can greatly assist their local club to raise much needed funds for ongoing facility refurbishment, new equipment and for major projects planned for NatWest CricketForce.”

NatWest Senior Marketing Manager, Dominic Warne said: “Fundraising is an essential part of club life as finances play a key role in supporting the game at grassroots. We are encouraging local cricket clubs to become part of NatWest CricketForce Fundraiser 2011 and organise fundraising events over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over 300 clubs have registered so far and are showing off their creativity by coming up with a range of fun and exciting events to raise money and involve the community in their club. We are delighted to have the support of England players Tim Bresnan, Katherine Brunt and Jenny Gunn alongside Michael Vaughan who will all be enjoying the festivities at Copley Cricket Club."