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<p><strong>UPDATE 8th Feb:</strong> Target reached faster than you can say "Indian whitewash!" Please do keep donating - the more, the better!</p>
<p>Stay tuned on this page for updates, tour diary will be up on <a href="http://alternativecricket.com">Alternative Cricket</a> and <a href="http://cricketwithoutboundaries.com">Cricket Without Boundaries</a> in a couple of weeks!</p>
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<p><span style="color: #000000;">Hi! I'm Nishant, and thanks for taking the time to visit my page! </span></p>
<p><strong>As many of you know</strong>, I'm going to Kenya from 12th-26th February...</p>
<p><strong>I will be working with <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://cricketwithoutboundaries.com">Cricket Without Boundaries</a></span></strong>, an excellent charity that shares the same ethos as I do - that sport transcends barriers, and that cricket in particular has the power to bring people together.</p>
<p><em>Sorry to digress, but has anybody ever told you, you have the most piercing eyes...?</em></p>
<p>In their previous trips to Africa, <strong>CWB have trained over 1,000 coaches and 10,000 children.</strong></p>
<p><strong>On this trip</strong>, I will be spreading the message of HIV prevention, by bringing cricket to the villages of Kenya! I will be visiting schools and orphanages all over the country, training children and young adults. </p>
<p><strong>CWB has found </strong>that cricket helps HIV prevention messages come through a lot clearer. Instead of using scientific jargon, the children find simple analogies such as "Protect your wicket" and "Don't play risky shots" a lot easier to relate to. Wherever possible, I will endeavour to include the likes of Dravid, Kallis and Trott into my analogies.</p>
<p><strong>I am a big believer</strong> in prevention being better than the cure, and I hope to learn plenty of logistical lessons from this trip, and see how I can apply them in future - hopefully, on an even larger scale.</p>
<p><strong>Ladies and gentlemen</strong>, at this point, I could opt for cheap flattery and pander to you, but I shall refrain, even though you have been looking <em>particularly</em> radiant recently...</p>
<p>Although I have paid for flights by myself, the project's long-term success depends on donations.</p>
<p><strong>In a tip of the hat</strong> to Sir Don Bradman - and Sachin too, while he's still stranded on 99... - I'm looking to raise at least £999.94 for Cricket Without Boundaries. Hopefully, we can raise much more.</p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>£25 </strong></span>will buy a full Kwik Cricket set for a school.</p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>£50</strong></span> will buy a full set of branded shirts for a team (including HIV/AIDS messages).</p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>£100</strong></span> will buy a school a hard-ball kit bag, with balls, pads, gloves, bats - and most importantly, boxes. </p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>£500</strong></span> will train 10 local coaches to keep spreading the word.</p>
<p><span style="color: #800080;"><strong>£1,000</strong></span> will run a festival day, allowing hundreds to participate.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: #0000ff;"><strong>PERKS!</strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">DONATE £100</span> </strong>or more, and I will personally sign a copy of <a href="http://j.mp/x3k59M">our book</a>, with a personal message of gratitude, and send it anywhere in the world.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">DONATE £500</span> </strong>or more, and I will perform one of my legendary LIVE air guitar concerts for you, in person, to the songs of your choice. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff;">DONATE £1,000</span></strong> or more, and, I will also throw in a personalized satirical article/letter for you, on <em>any </em>topic of your choice. </p>
<p><strong>Of course</strong>, I will keep you updated with a diary and photos of my time in Kenya, so you can see first-hand how your money is being put to good use :)) </p>
<p><strong>Donating</strong> through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid - <strong>25% </strong>- is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. If you pay tax in the UK at the higher rate, you can also reclaim tax relief on your gross donation at 20%.</p>
<p>It’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p><strong>So..<span style="color: #000000;">.</span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">please dig deep into your handbags and man-purses, and donate now.</span></p>
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<p><strong>ABOUT ME:</strong></p>
<p>- Like many other people my age, I am 23 years old. </p>
<p>- I'm a 4th year medical student (no, I don't just dress up as a doctor, although the scrubs are nice and airy in summer).</p>
<p>- I am editor of <a href="http://alternativecricket.com">AlternativeCricket.com</a>.</p>
