Dear PLA members and friends,
In case you haven't heard, National Backyard Cricket is an annual charity event that brings communities together to have fun and raise funds for important educational causes.
Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA) has partnered with the LBW Trust - the charity behind National Backyard Cricket - to promote the event to public libraries and to deliver support to chronically underfunded country communities.
50% of the funds raised go to Australia's Country Public Libraries, while the balance supports disadvantaged students in cricket-playing nations.
The idea behind NBYC is as simple as it is powerful. Anyone can register to play a game at the NBYC website, then gather friends, family or colleagues to play a game and encourage everyone to make a donation.
Last year was the first year of NBYC, and we raised $70,000 in support of education-related projects at 54 country libraries in every state and the Northern Territory!
A summary of last year's campaign, including the impact of the grants for the dozens of libraries that received funding can be found here
To make sure NBYC is a success this year, we are asking public libraries to come on board and show their support for this important cause. It's easier than taking a wicket off England these days. All you have to do is:
- Organise your library's own game of backyard cricket, and invite all your members to attend and participate.
- Tell your members about NBYC, and encourage them to register and organise fundraising games.
- Share your stories via social media: On FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram
There are prizes to be won and lots of fun to be had by all. If you have any questions, please feel free to FOLA president Jack Goodman.