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By Matthew Davis
A talented cricketer fears she will miss out on representing England on the international stage after the last-minute loss of her sponsorship.
Catherine Jones, from Thanington, is desperately trying to raise £3,000 by Monday (September 30) in order to keep alive her ambitions of reaching the Women’s Indoor Cricket World Cup.
The sportswoman say she was “determined not to crowdfund” and hates asking for help.
But she “felt sick” when she learned her sponsor had left her stumped, since she had already committed to the competition in Cape Town.
The 48-year-old single mum must pay more than £2,000 to the World Indoor Cricket Federation before the deadline, or else “face legal action” from the organisation.
Fortunately, the total raised on her GoFundeMe page hit that target this week - but she still hopes to collect a further £1,000 in order to make it to the tournament.
"I'm totally overwhelmed with the amazing support..." Catherine Jones
“You are taking a risk when you commit to these things,” she admits. “But I don’t want to let my team down.”
She is obliged to pay up regardless of whether or not she can make it to the World Cup.
“It’s either pay £2,000 and not go, or pay £3,000 and go,” she says.
If she fails to raise the cash, Catherine believes the only option would be “to borrow money from someone that I wouldn’t be able to pay back”.
She says: “I can’t do that. I’ve got responsibilities.”
Catherine is currently a music teacher at Canterbury Primary School - part of the Canterbury Academy Trust. She sacrifices weekends to go and train with her team in Birmingham.
Catherine has also had to sell her beloved Vespa scooter in order to raise funds.
Currently, her GoFundMe page has received £2,095 in donations, and Catherine says she is “totally overwhelmed with the amazing support.”
Whether she raises the £3,000 total or not, she still intends to host a “thank you party” for all who donated on December 14.
Catherine says everyone who plays indoor cricket needs to be a good all-rounder - but her strength is as a medium-outswing bowler.
She took part in the last world cup, held in England, where the team finished last.
All the England players have had to raise funds in order to pay for flights and accommodation in South Africa, where the tournament starts on October 19.
