Cricket ground tour for fundraising cyclist with donations from Alistair Cook and Moeen Ali

Mark Crowther, a member of the team at CarShop’s Leighton Buzzard preparation centre, is to cycle nearly 1,000 miles, from Durham to the Oval Cricket Ground, covering 18 English cricket grounds along the way in a 16-day journey at the end of July.

Friends of Mark sadly lost their 13-year-old daughter, Ziggy, who died in 2007 after battle against the devastating and rare form of cancer, Ewings Sarcoma.

Ziggy and her family received a tremendous amount of support along the way from children’s cancer charities CLIC Sargent and Kids Cancer Charity.

Both charities have been operating in the UK for a number of years with CLIC Sargent being formed in 2005, and Kids Cancer Charity only recently celebrating 25 years of care and support.

Mark said: “Standing by whilst my friends were immersed into such tragic circumstances was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to endure, but I was in awe of the level of support provided by CLIC Sargent and Kids Cancer Charity. They inspired me to embark on this journey, and I’m determined to raise as much as I can.”

Mark has already had a remarkable level of support from friends, family, local hotels, regional Pure Gym facilities and the cricket grounds themselves, but ultimately wants to raise £5,000 for the charities.

Mar is being supported by his employer CarShop and will be collecting cricket memorabilia at each of his stops.

So far the prize pot contains a miniature and also a full sized bat signed by Alistair Cook, Stuart Broad and the rest of the England cricket team, plus batting gloves generously donated by England cricketer, Moeen Ali.

A spokesperson from Kids Cancer Charity, Barbara Thomas, describes the charity’s mission as being a successful one for those who are going through these tough and heart-breaking times. She said: “We believe that quality of life for children with cancer is a right. To work with them and their families is a privilege.”

To support and sponsor Mark, visit

uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/MarksCricketCycleChallenge