PCA Masters Turn Out for Josh Mierkalns
24-year-old Josh Mierkalns is a talented sportsman, who joined Nottinghamshire in 2007, spending two years as a professional cricketer. Although his first team opportunities were limited to a handful of appearances, he became an incredibly popular member of the staff and was in great demand to play as a ‘pro' in club cricket when his Notts career came to an end.
Unfortunately for Josh, he suffered a severe intestinal illness during the winter of 2008, and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. After losing two and a half stone in two weeks, Josh was admitted into hospital for an operation to remove his colon.
Despite using an external colostomy bag, Josh battled to regain fitness, and signed for Caythorpe CC in 2009. Last winter, Josh's health declined once again despite further operations and his condition was complicated through an acute attack of gout.
The illness has meant that Josh is unable to work but his fighting qualities have come to the fore and he refuses to give up his ambitions of playing cricket for Caythorpe again this summer. During his illness, he has received assistance from the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Benevolent Fund, and the PCA have now joined forces with Caythorpe CC to organise a charity cricket match in his name.
On Sunday September 5, a star-studded PCA Masters team, including Gladstone Small and Chris Read, will take on a Nottinghamshire Premier League All Star XI in an explosive Twenty20 encounter.
There are a limited number of exclusive sponsorship packages available, which include pre-match hospitality with the players, at seat service during the game, and a signed shirt from the day. These superb packages are priced at £250, with all proceeds going towards a special fund for Josh - to nurse him back to health and support him to get the qualifications needed for the next stage in his life.
We would love you to join us for what will be a superb day of sporting entertainment, all in the name of a good cause. For more information, please contact Jim Hindson on 07866 241241 - jim@bowlesassociates.com
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