A GROUP of cricketers have completed a herculean run of more than 1,000 kilometres to raise funds for a life-saving charity.

Four players from the Earls Colne Cricket Club have managed to run and walk 1,200 kilometres during the lockdown to raise £400 for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.

The air ambulance, which is also based in Earls Colne, has continued to provide their life-saving service during the lockdown, despite their funding taking a massive hit.

Now the team of cricketers are going to give something back to the paramedics working to keep residents safe after doing a virtual tour of the UK, starting at their ground at the Earls Colne Recreation Club.

The idea came from the club’s chairman, Patrick Kerry, who wanted to keep fit during the lockdown, in the absence of regular cricket training or matches.

He said: “With three other willing players - Trevor Sleeman, Ian Doyle, and Dave Moon - the goal was to run and walk the distance as if we really were touring the UK, starting at our ground then taking in seven Test venue cities before finishing at the home of cricket, Lord’s.

“One of our group, Dave Moon, had his daughter saved by the air ambulance a while ago.

“We could have done this for the club and just put it in to our fund but we though they would need it more than us.

“In total we raised about £400.”

The amazing 1,200km distance - about 745 miles - was covered by the group in just 42 days.

This means each member of the group covered on average nearly seven kilometres a day for 42 days.

Patrick added: “We’ve celebrated some of the milestones on a Zoom call, which has been a little odd.

“There was a great deal of expectation back in early March with some great new players and a new main sponsor, so we wanted any way possible to keep momentum and enthusiasm up.

“We all seemed to find it easy to be honest. We were mainly running and walking with the occasional bit of cycling.

“We’ve at least now started two people only bowling machine sessions in the nets on Saturdays, whilst we wait for confirmation of when the season can start.”