Under the working title “the Global Cricket Appeal”, the Charity, started three years ago by (then) 14-year-old Will Gaffney, is launching a global fundraising appeal during the T20 world cup. Seeking to build on recent ‘kitshare’ successes in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Barbados.

Bat For a Chance exists to enable disadvantaged communities to access the great game of cricket through the provision of cricket kit donated by cricket clubs, individual cricket fans and kit manufacturers. The initiative, recently granted formal charitable status, was founded by Will Gaffney in his bedroom after returning from a tour to Sri Lanka, touched by the way cricket can bridge divides, but challenged by the reality that people cannot enjoy cricket without kit, which is often impossibly expensive for many.

Over the last two years of operation, the initiative has:

• Been joined by England all-rounder Chris Jordan and former Ashes winner and Sky Sports Commentator Lydia Greenway as global cricket ambassadors

• Seen its founder, Will Gaffney, appointed an MCC Foundation Young Ambassador, working on projects in the UK and across the globe with the MCC Foundation

• Secured charitable status in the UK to manage growth, ensure professionalism in operations and enable independent oversight of funding

• Has worked with the United Nations through the UNHCR to provide cricket kit to refugees in Bulgaria

• Forged an effective working relationship with female empowerment charity FemGames, who use kit provided by BFAC in their sports-led female empowerment programme in Pakistan. Headed-up by Ebba Qureshi, trustee of Bat For A Chance, (and wife of former Pakistan allrounder Azhar Mahmood), the charity is at the leading-edge of utilising sport for positive social change for women and girls.

• Is working in partnership with Roland Butcher, the former Middlesex and England batsman, through his Foundation leading the charity’s project in Barbados to provide coaching and kit to girls and young women in schools and at the University of West Indies.The project’s launch has been sponsored and supported by Virgin Atlantic, global manufacturing business called Energy and the Rajasthan Royals.

• Is working closely with Sri Lankan charity “The Foundation of Goodness” to provide cricket which will assist the charity’s female empowerment, sports and youth work across its many projects on the island, which is still coming to terms with the impact of the 2004 Tsunami and civil war. Kushil Gunasakera the Founder of the charity and his ambassadors include Kumar Sangakarra and Mayela Jawardene.

• Currently looking at new projects in South Africa with former opening batsman for South Africa and former India and South Africa coach Gary Kirsten, who focus on the creation of sporting ecosytems and healthy alternatives for township communities by providing quality infrastructure that is safe and accessible.

To date the charity have been able to help provide access to cricket to 15,000 Men, Women and children globally across 4 different continents.