The Cricket Derbyshire India Club’s 10th annual Diwali event took place on Saturday 26th October at the County Ground providing a vibrant celebration, delicious food and vital funds raised.
The 2024 Diwali celebrations were held in the stunning Marquee at Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s County Ground, with incredible support for this popular showpiece event. The evening featured bhangra music, Bollywood dancers, fireworks, and a traditional Indian 3-course meal.
This was the 10th Cricket Derbyshire India Club have organised over the past 11 years. The event brings together individuals and businesses from across Derby and the wider community to celebrate the festival of lights.
The cricket Derbyshire India club Diwali event, led by Baggy Shanker MP, drew sponsorship from Derbion, Alstom, The University of Derby, Wavensmere Homes, Clowes, East Midlands Railway, Bowmer and Kirkland, TMS Management, Central England Co-Operative, Specsavers, Slice of India, AG Fencing and Landscaping, Sky Recruitment Solutions, Trent Barton, East Midlands Chamber, Icons Talent, NK Motor Group, SmartParc, Clayton & Co, Unite, Ursus Construction, Phoenix Plumbing & Heating, Hen & Chickens, and Fairfax Meadow – raised vital funds for the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (Registered Charity No. 1155801).
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation (DCF) is a dedicated charity that uses the power of cricket to engage and inspire people in Derbyshire to have a lasting connection with the game. The DCF provide an inclusive range of projects and activities that help work in line with our purpose of Empowering communities and improving lives through cricket. The DCF is the governing body for recreational cricket in Derbyshire and supports the development of over 100 cricket clubs as well as delivering cricket programmes to over 150 schools in the county.
Community & Partnerships Manager, Mark Barber said:
“The annual Diwali Celebration is now a very well established feature of our events programme and we are incredibly grateful for the support received. This event brings together the Derby and Derbyshire community and is a phenomenal celebration of the diversity of the city of Derby. Seeing so many people come together, celebrate, and support our work is incredibly humbling. I’ll finish with a huge thank you to everyone who supported, engaged and gave so generously to our fundraising efforts on the evening.
The 2024 raised over £27,000 and surpasses the staggering success of 2023 which raised £23,500 for the Derbyshire Cricket Foundation. In total, over the 10 events, an incredible £170,000 has been raised and these vital funds will enable us to grow our impact through the initiatives and projects that we run across Derby and Derbyshire. Being able to promote health and well-being through cricket to those communities that need it most or have limited access is so important to us. We are committed to making cricket a game for everyone and this event plays a significant part in helping us achieve that.
This event also wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support of our Cricket Derbyshire India Club members, and we are very grateful for everything they have done not only this year but since the inaugural event in 2014.”Cricket Derbyshire India Club member & MP for Derby South, Baggy Shanker added:
“Diwali is the festival of lights and with the £27,000 for local schools and cricket clubs we can certainly look towards a brighter future for participation in sport. Every child deserves to have a go at a new sport, make friends and grow their confidence, whilst learning about the benefits of physical activity. By getting involved in sport at an early age, we know children are more likely to go on to develop positive lifelong habits of exercise, as well as benefit from the health and social benefits that brings. “It’s an honour to organise this important event for our community each year. I am absolutely delighted with the support and generosity helping us to break our fundraising record year on year. The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities and enriching lives is extraordinary, and tonight’s contributions will ensure they continue their invaluable work.”
Derbyshire County Cricket Club Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, added:
“As a Club, we are always striving to celebrate the diversity within our community, and it’s been great to once again welcome people from Derby City and across Derbyshire to our eighth annual Diwali event.
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation, alongside the India Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club, have delivered another brilliant evening at The County Ground
The event has got bigger and bigger each year since its inception in 2014, with record funds raised for the Foundation to grow their work within the city and across the county and I would like to thank all the individuals and local business who have supported this event once again.”
The Derbyshire Cricket Foundation are always looking for further support from businesses and individuals that are interested in helping to Empower Communities and Improve Lives through cricket.
There are a range of sponsorship opportunities available to get involved in and to continue to support the important work that is carried out across Derbyshire. For more information about these opportunities, check out the DCF website HERE or contact Mark Barber at mark.barber@dcfcricket.com.
