Hundreds of people are expected to head to a cricket club for a tournament which will raise money for a charity supporting poor patients around the world.

Share for Care, set up by a group of medical professionals in 2019, specifically aims to help the underprivileged in need of treatment in Pakistan, and will raise funds towards its cause at The Mote Cricket Club in Maidstone, near Mote Park, tomorrow.

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Fay Gooch, will appear at the venue alongside Deputy High Commissioner for Pakistan Dr Faisal Aziz Ahmed and it is also hoped former Kent Cricket player Yasir Arafat will be able to make the trophy presentation in the evening as well.

It is predicted between 350 and 400 people will be in attendance in total, and money will also be raised for the Heart of Kent Hospice in Aylesford which will bring one of its Elmer sculptures along for the occasion.

Some 51 uniquely designed elephant figures have been scattered across Maidstone, forming three walks totalling around six miles in the first-ever public art trail of its kind to visit the County Town. The event is raising money for Heart of Kent Hospice which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Eight teams will come together from across Kent for the competition which will involve 10-overs-a-side matches. The first game will start at 11am and the trophy presentation is planned for 6.30pm.

Dr Syed Arshad Husain is one of the Share for Care trustees from a group of doctors, consultants and other medical professionals from the south of England - some of which are from Asian background - who set up the charity. It became a UK-registered charity last year.

The consultant in respiratory medicine at Maidstone Hospital said: “Being a doctor, obviously, I’m the right sort of person to do something like this.

“I’ve seen poverty and how it affects treatment for people. The NHS doesn’t exist outside the UK and people can die if they don’t get the right medical attention.

“That is why I got involved and tried to alleviate poverty.”

It has helped provide free medical camps for people in places such as Sindh, Pakistan, since its inception as well as giving medical equipment to hospitals in Pakistan.

A variety of food stalls will be available on the day, selling cakes, barbecue food, Nepalese food and Filipino food, as well as hot and cold drinks.

The 58-year-old, of Charlotte Drive, Kings Hill, said: “We are expecting 350 to 400 people, with the weather expected to be good.

“There are about eight teams coming together from all over Kent to compete. It is a cricket tournament and the games will be limited over.

“We feel it is quite a significant event.”

Similar tournaments were held in the past three years, the last of which took place on September 13, 2020.

Mr Husain admits it is becoming a regular event but added: "It is more important this year because everyone has been tied down with the lockdown situation during the pandemic.

“There has not been much opportunity for physical activity. So it is a good opportunity for people to come out.”

Rawalpindi-born Mr Arafat, who played cricket for Kent in 2007 and 2008, hopes to attend after coaching at another cricket game earlier in the day.

Last year, he donated one of his cricket shirts to Share for Care, also offering coaching to young children that day.

Prior to entry to the free event, everyone will have their temperature checked and will be asked their coronavirus vaccination status.

For more about the Share for Care charity, click here.

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