Mantra cricket day a big hit for Red Cross
Mantra cricket day a big hit for Red Cross
Tuesday June 17 2014, 1:26pm
A charity cricket match hosted by hotel company Mantra at Reynolds Park on Sunday has raised about $5500 for a Red Cross child health program.
The match, an annual charity event for Mantra, featured a three-sided game between staff from Port Douglas-based Mantra venues, staff from Cairns-based Mantra venues and suppliers.
Funds raised from raffles and food and drink sales went to the Red Cross's Good Start Program, which supplies breakfasts to underprivileged children.
Play during the game was casual but intense at times, with many made-it-by-an-inch runs and dramatic catches, often from complete cricket novices.
In the first game, the Port Douglas team in blue beat out the red-clothed Cairns team, bowling them out on 68 runs to Peppers’ 82 for 5 wickets.
In the second game, the suppliers in white managed some great fielding (with a few exceptions such as a novice player catching a fast toss with his throat) but crumbled at the bat, being bowled out on 48 runs against Cairns’s 82.
Port Douglas edged out the suppliers for the final game on 62 runs for 9 wickets against 60 runs on 8 wickets.
Mantra North Queensland regional general manager Winston Hall said the day had been a massive success and improved on last year's total by about $1500.
“It’s always great to get the whole team and our suppliers together for a fun day and raise the funds for this cause which we think is a very important one,” Mr Hall said.
“The team loves the cricket day, they’re all huge supporters of the Red Cross and they all want to help out.
“We’ve upped the fundraising total for this year’s cricket day and that’s great to see, and we’re definitely planning to make it bigger and better for next year.”
Red Cross Far North Queensland regional manager Michael White, who accepted a cheque for donations from Mr Hall after the game, said the Good Start program an important boost for children missing breakfast before school.
“It’s certainly a very important program - it’s unfortunate but it’s a reality that there are families and people out there that are trying to go through a day without a meal at the start and no good for them,” he said.
“[The Mantra cricket day] is a very positive day with great integration and bringing business leaders and people together for a good cause, we’re looking forward to staying involved with Mantra for next year.”
Mantra nationally raises about $100,000 a year for Red Cross at various fundraising events.
