Jamie Bowman to tour Rwanda

Date: 18th January 2012

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

Liverpool Echo cricket correspondent Jamie Bowman will be spreading the gospel of cricket in the unlikely environment of Rwanda in March when he will be doing voluntary charity work for Cricket Without Boundaries (www.cricketwithoutboundaries.com).

Sefton Park members may be more used to seeing their fifth team skipper standing at first slip, chewing on a blade of grass and pondering complex stratagems in Brearleyesque fashion, but Bowman's commitment to this cause is a pleasing indication that a journalist's interests can extend far beyond the conventional surroundings of the Aigburth press tent.

"This wonderful charity tries to highlight awareness of HIV/AIDS to African children and teenagers who are most at risk," he explained. "This is done through cricket coaching and encouraging enjoyment through participation in the sport. The charity also aims to improve local communities through cricket by providing them with a solid infrastructure and teaching local teachers and volunteers to become successful coaches and to thereby continue the spread of the sport.

"I will be paying my own way in terms of travel and living expenses but we still need funds to directly donate equipment to the people in Rwanda and all donated money will go towards this. I would be immensely grateful for any donations no matter how small. As the cricket correspondent for the Liverpool Echo and Post and a regular contributor to the Cricketer and All Out Cricketer magazines, Cricket Without Boundaries have asked me to write a blog of the team’s experience. I will update this daily and it can be read on the Cricket Without Boundaries website [link above].

"Just to prove how serious I am, I have signed up for a 10k race in Southport which takes place on February 12," added Merseyside's Mo Farah. "Those of you that have seen me play cricket know I am a committed slip fielder and spin bowler, so running is a mystery to me.

"I am asking that if people would like to donate they do it through the excellent JustGiving website. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

"I would be very grateful if as many cricket fans as possible dig deep and donate now! If anyone would like any more information, images or would like to interview me about my trip to Rwanda, please don’t hesitate to contact me." (bowmanjam@hotmail.com/ 0777 444 2275. Follow me on twitter @jamiebowman77)