£200 to Cricket Society Trust - thanks to Barney
Barney with his benefit committee Fred, Matt and Ian.
Fred Raffle is well known in cricketing circles, as his guide dog, Barney. Fred has followed Glamorgan round the UK and England round the world for decades. The journeys all begin from his home in Sunderland and for the last 10 years Barney has travelled to Glamorgan games with him. During that time Barney has been to 35 grounds and been patted by 14 England captains.
On his travels Fred has worked with BBC and Sky and is well known to their broadcasting teams. When David Lloyd was told of Barney’s 10 years service and impending retirement he suggested a benefit. As luck would have it Matthew Maynard, who is Barney’s favourite cricketer, was travelling to Durham to speak to the Cricket Society on 6th November and this was Barney’s big night. The branch made a donation from the raffle, photographs were taken of the members with the championship trophy and Glamorgan and Durham gave items of cricket memorabilia to auction on Ebay.
Those who attended the meeting heard Fred interview Matt about his life as a cricketer and latterly as a coach. Although typically modest about his own considerable achievements he gave us an idea of how Viv Richards taught him how to win matches and was generous in his praise for others with whom he had played.
Barney has generously agreed to give the proceeds to The Cricket Society Trust and he has brought in over £200 which will help their excellent work.