Ram FM stroll into Langley Mill
by Alan Rowley, 3rd June 2006

The Ram FM Celebrity Strollers visit Station Road, Langley Mill on Sunday 4th June for a match against the Millers in aid of the Royal National Institute for the Blind. The event starts at 1:30pm and will feature a 30 over game, an auction for sports goods and memorabilia and a raffle. The bar will be open all day and food will be available.

The Celebrity Strollers team came together for the first time in summer 2005 to play a charity match against Wirksworth Cricket Club. Such was the response further invitations followed and the decision was made to arrange a bigger fixture list for 2006.

The team is managed by Ram FM sports editor Phil Matthews and features a pool of celebrities who give their services free of charge, in order to allow the host club to fund raise for a charity of their choice. The team always features at least two of the on-air team from Ram FM, breakfast presenter Dean "Dino" Weatherbed and daytime presenter Ed George.

For 2006, the Ram contingent has been boosted by the addition newsreader Dan Dawson - a major acquisition as Dan can actually play cricket. They are hoping to see the regular return of local historian and TV presenter Richard Felix to the side following his displays last term, along with his son Ed who captains the side.

Last season they had the pleasure of welcoming celebrities such as Derby County keeper Lee Camp, former Chesterfield and now QPR defender lan Evatt, Martyn Taylor from Burton Albion, broadcaster Charles Collins, ex Scotland international footballer John Duncan and Central Television's Dennis Coath. This season they are hoping to feature Commonwealth Gold medallist Ross Davenport, former Derbyshire cricketer Christopher Bassano and Darryl Powell.

The game is to assist Ilkeston lads Kevin and Simon Horsnall to raise funds for the charity. The father and son team, between 1-7 September 2006, will be trekking the Oraefajokull Massif of south-east Iceland in aid of the R.N.I.B. Rising from sea level to 2,000 metres, the giant volcano reigns supreme over its surroundings, crowned by a pristine ice-cap.

The trek will follow age-old paths of local shepherds, traversing glaciers and small rivers, passing by spectacular waterfalls and iceberg-filled lagoons. In addition to the rigorous training for the event, and paying a registration fee, they are committed to raising £4,000.

R.N.I.B. is the UK's leading charity helping anyone with a sight problem. They offer practical solutions, advice and support services to help people at every stage of their lives. They offer friendly support, expert advice, talking books and a wide range of practical products and training to help people with sight problems learn new ways to get on with everyday life.

There are around 24,000 children with sight loss in the UK, the majority of whom are educated in mainstream schools where quite often they may be the only child with sight loss in a whole school. Vacation schemes provide an opportunity to share experiences with children in a similar position to themselves. Participants can build on their confidence and develop independence skills through a range of exciting indoor and outdoor activities, delivered in a safe, secure and structured environment.

Admission to the game is £1, with the programme costing a further £1. There will be a lucky programme draw for Derbyshire County Cricket Club tickets. The auction features a signed Jason Gillespie bat and photo (donated by Andy Mitchell of owzat-cricket), a Tourist cricket bat (donated by Charlie French Bats), an England one-day shirt and cap (donated by Andy Fulton of Pure Cricket), a signed Derby County football and a signed Derbyshire CCC bat (donated by the club).