An update from our CEO

Hi all,

As we move towards autumn, I want to take a moment to reflect on another busy and memorable few weeks for the Lord’s Taverners. From fundraising events and cricket fixtures to some fantastic recognition for our programmes, it has been a period that has once again demonstrated the breadth of our community and the difference your support makes.

One of the highlights was our special Tavs Taskmaster event at Lord’s. It was fantastic to see so many members, supporters and friends of the charity come together for an evening of laughter, entertainment and, of course, a little competitive spirit! My thanks to everyone who attended, supported the event and helped make it such a memorable evening. Events like this are a hugely important part of our fundraising, while also bringing the Tavs community together.

We were also delighted to see our work in SEND schools featured on Sky Sports Cricket during the recent England v Pakistan men’s Test series. The feature highlighted our partnership with the ECB and the role cricket can play in helping young people living with a disability enjoy regular activity and develop key life skills. It was a great reminder of why creating inclusive opportunities to play cricket is so important, and we thank everyone involved in our county cricket board and ECB network for continuing to take our work in SEND schools forward.

Another landmark moment came with the first-ever Lord’s Taverners Women’s XI fixture against MCC Women’s XI at Highgate Cricket Club. Bringing together players from across the game, including women who have progressed through our programmes, it was a brilliant celebration of the present and future of women’s cricket. We look forward to the Taverners Women’s XI becoming a regular feature in our fixture list.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who has pulled on the Tavs XI shirt this summer, as well as those who have supported, organised and hosted fixtures. The commitment of our players and volunteers, alongside the generosity of our hosts and supporters, enables the team to raise vital funds while creating fantastic opportunities to bring people together through cricket. I would also like to thank Taverner Graeme Walker and the team at Smile Group Travel who so generously sponsored the team this year. 

This past month we also took time to recognise two wonderful people who have made an enormous contribution to our charity, with Suzy Farthing and Tim Luckhurst being made Honorary Life Members of the Lord’s Taverners. Both have given so much through their respective roles, as well being dedicated members of the Taverners in many other ways for a prolonged period of time. Tim's family charity – The Denness Luckhurst Foundation (DLF), formed in memory by the families of Tim's father Brian and his Kent opening batting partner, former England Captain Mike Denness, raises tens of thousands of pounds for our charity each year at its annual Golf Day and dinner. I had the privilege of attending this month, to enjoy seeing former Tavs President Chris Cowdrey present his good friend Tim with his honorary membership certificate. Tim also announced that in ten years the DLF has raised over £200,000 for charities including the Taverners. 

Like Tim, Suzy's commitment to the Tavs also extends far beyond her Trustee duties, she too has attended numerous events, introduced new partners, fundraised and undertaken many roles for over a decade. Her journey started when the Taverners enjoyed a partnership with BT which Suzy was instrumental in fostering many years ago. I would like to acknowledge and thank both Tim and Suzy for their leadership, commitment and continued belief in what the Tavs achieves. They have both played a pivotal role in helping shape where the charity is today and I know they will continue to do so for many years to come. 

As we look ahead, there is plenty more to come. Our weekly cricket programme activity is now back up and running following the school summer holidays and we have a fantastic programme of autumn events, including our Long Room Concert, regional race days and Christmas lunches, providing plenty of opportunities to get involved, and support our work to impact and reach more young people who really need access to our life-changing cricket programmes.

I hope to see many of you at one of these events over the coming weeks and months. Your continued support, whether through attending an event, fundraising, volunteering or simply spreading the word about our work, is hugely appreciated.

Thank you, as always, for being such an important part of the Lord’s Taverners community.

Best wishes,

Mark