The Mote Cricket Club in Maidstone is holding a charity match and fun run in memory of a former player who passed away and to raise funds for the mental health charity MIND.

Ben Dance sadly took his own life on June 14, leaving behind a wife and three-year-old daughter.

His friend Richard Coles, vice captain of the First X1, was determined that Mr Dance should not be forgotten and that awareness of mental health issues should be raised so that other sufferers could be helped.

He said: "Ben was just 39.

"We were pretty close. We met at The Mote in about 2001 and played together every week and spent a lot of time together off the pitch too.

"On the pitch, yes we argued every week over who was the faster bowler and who was going to choose ends to bowl at or who would take more wickets.

"But he was a great friend and he taught me a lot."

'It isn't a weakness to share your feelings'

The two grew apart a little about six years ago, when Mr Dance stopped playing for the club, but they reconnected at the start of this year.

Mr Coles said: "It's a very sad and a hard thing to hear that your friend has passed away under such circumstances. I just wish he could have opened up to me more.

"I spoke to him only a couple of weeks before his death and there was no indication of what was coming."

Mr Dance, originally from Sissinghurst, worked in recruitment and had moved to Kings Hill.

Mr Coles, originally from Maidstone, has moved to Ashford but still plays for The Mote every week.

Saturday's events at the club in Willow Way, Maidstone, begin with a fun run organised by the Mote Runners, starting at 10am, covering a 1.4km route around the grounds. Donations of £2 for adults and £1 for children are requested and there will be prizes for for the fastest male and female, with all children receiving a gift for taking part.

At 10.45am, a representative from MIND will give a talk on how to support those in trouble.

Then at 11am, The Mote will host a 40-over match between the Mote XI and a Ben Dance XI, comprising players who previously played with Mr Dance.

During the game there will be a boundary bowls competition.

After the cricket, the day will continue with other fund-raising activities, including fastest runner between the wickets, a closest to the pin challenge and longest drive.

The club bar will be open all day and all the events will be run to strictly Covid 19 protocols.

Mr Coles, who became a Christian in 2017, had this advice for anyone struggling with their mental health. He said: "You can put your full trust in God and he will be there for you and ready to help, as are the people around you.

"Don’t bottle it up, it isn’t weakness to share your feelings. Not a single person will think less of you."

Those unable to attend Saturday's event can still support the cause by visiting Mr Coles' Just Giving page: here

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