It almost feels a little disrespectful to call our long plod on 23rd April a challenge, given what the children for whom we will be raising money have faced in their lives. Whilst we have had all the benefits of a happy, healthy and safe upbringing, the same cannot be said of the children of the Shatila, Bekaa Valley and Bourj el-Barajneh refugees camps in Lebanon – a childhood that has been fraught with danger and despair.

However, despite this difference, there is one thing that we very much share – the love of a soft crack of leather on willow, and the weird yet wonderful game that is cricket. TeamArchie was set up in memory of Archie Lloyd, who, like us, shared this same love of sport and the camaraderie that comes with it. Archie and Charlie spent many hours together at the crease (or so they like to think) and in the field, and the idea of raising money to allow these children to have similar experiences despite the challenges they have faced is very powerful.

teamArchie and Youth Sport Trust International both use the unique power of sport to enhance the lives of young people. For this reason, we will be running in aid of these two charities, who will be helping to support the Alsama project – a wonderful initiative that provides cricket coaching and a competitive league framework for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. The money raised will mean that teamArchie and Youth Sport Trust International can work with Alsama to develop young coaches and support the now hundreds of children playing cricket and finding peace and purpose in Shatila, the Bekaa Valley and Bourj el-Barajneh.

For the children in question, the teamwork and fun that is inspired through their cricket sessions has had a phenomenal impact on their lives and requires our continued support. Through cricket they learn new patterns of behaviour – teamwork, co-operation between girls and boys, patience and practice – which may one day help to resolve conflict. Alsama nurtures damaged children but it also aspires to excellence, even to one day see Lebanon join the ICC and field international teams. It is this aspiration which inspires and motivates young people.

The project has been so successful that the camps now boast 37 teams – however, without the adequate funding, the coaches, kit and leagues will become impossible. Now, whilst neither of us would likely be selected for any of these 37 teams – even having trained to the point of being able to haul ourselves around the streets of London, we are very keen to support in any way that we can and keep this wonderful project moving forward.

Any donation that you would be kind enough to give would be hugely, hugely appreciated – and if it’s the thought of paying for our pain, that’s also heavily encouraged.

teamArchie works with partner charities, to recognise talent and commitment and match it with programmes of funding, training, and mentoring.  Our goal is to ensure that personal circumstances are not a barrier to the fulfilment of potential.

Youth Sport Trust International is a sport for development charity and is the international arm of the Youth Sport Trust. They
use the unique power of sport to improve the lives of young people.

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