A message from our CEO

Hi everyone, 

It’s been a fantastic month ahead of a very important time of year for the charity, with the upcoming Christmas period integral to our 75th anniversary fundraising success as we look to finish the year on a high. 

What we’re looking to raise funds for, and awareness of, in the coming weeks has been at the heart of our October activity, with our Super 1s awards in partnership with the brilliant Berkeley Foundation a fine illustration of the need for our work. Watching our four award winner’s stories, before meeting them and their families was the latest reminder of just how important our programmes, and your support is. 

Learning about the challenges Ravi, Matthew and Sebbie are overcoming through Super 1s, while becoming role models within their communities was truly inspiring. Our award-winning coach on the night, Lucy, also illustrated the value of coaches and volunteers in creating safe and inclusive environments, and opportunities for young people with a disability to thrive in sport. Young girls in Hampshire have benefitted so much from Lucy’s leadership and incredible work ethic. 

We wouldn’t be able to help participants like our award winners without the support of the Berkeley Foundation and you, our members and supporters who ensure we can reach and impact young people through our programmes. I’m sure a number of you will hear from, and meet, some of our Development Officers, participants, parents and youth ambassadors at events in the next six weeks. I’d encourage you all to listen and learn from anyone connected to our programmes you are fortunate enough to engage with, and champion our cause in your own networks to help us impact even more young people facing the challenges of inequality for the next 75 years. 

In the lead up to our Awards Evening we had a very special guest witness our programme activity and meet some of our supporters for the first time. As part of his first engagement with the charity since being named as our Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh found himself in the Indoor Cricket Centre at The Oval, engaging with our youth ambassadors, staff members, participants and their parents in an impactful and inspiring experience for all involved. It’s brilliant to continue our connection with the Royal Family, and we look forward to welcoming His Royal Highness Prince Edward to more Taverners activity again in the near future. 

It would be brilliant to have your support during the upcoming festive period. We want to continue to grow our reach and improve our impact, and the season of giving is a great opportunity to be part of ensuring we achieve our ambitions, by fundraising, networking and raising awareness of our work in hundreds of communities across the UK. 

Thank you to everyone who is already set to attend an event this festive season. If you haven’t booked your place at any of our events, whether it be an event local to you or supporting an event or region elsewhere in the country, it would be great if you could. You’ll be sure to enjoy the usual Taverners fun whilst making a difference to thousands of young people who participate on our community cricket programmes.  

Details for all of our upcoming events can be viewed on our website. Click here to book your tickets. 

There are just a few months remaining of our 75th anniversary year - let’s finish it off in style and get behind our work more than we ever have before. 

See you soon. 

Very best wishes, 
Mark and Tavs team!