Thetford Cricket Club is embarking on an ambitious new chapter with the launch of Project 100, a bold fundraising and community initiative led by the club’s new Sponsorship and Fundraising Manager, Kim Lockwood.
Thetford’s cricket ground on Mundford Road Image: ©Thetford Town Cricket Club
Kim brings a strong background in fundraising to the role and is the driving force behind Project 100. With deep family ties to Thetford Cricket Club and having grown up in the town, her passion for the club and the wider community is clear. Her niece and nephew both play in the junior sections, and Kim herself is an active member of the club’s women’s team.
“There’s so much scope for the club to be more,” Kim said. “To become a community hub and a place for the club to give, and be given back.”
Thetford Cricket Club is a growing club with big ambitions. The club is already seeing the benefits of renewed energy and engagement. The women’s section, still relatively new, has grown rapidly in a short period of time. What was once a struggle to field a single team has now become two teams, with new players always welcome. As interest continues to rise, the club is actively looking to expand its training facilities to support this growth.
The youth section is also thriving, with strong links to schools across the town feeding talent into the club. More young people than ever are coming through who want to play cricket, reinforcing the need for improved facilities.
The club recently opened a new clubhouse, a major step forward, but some of its existing infrastructure is now reaching the end of its life. In particular, the practice nets need replacing. Project 100 aims to address these challenges while taking the club to a level that Thetford hasn’t had previously.
Project 100 is a fundraising campaign with a mission to support the community. The goal is to raise £100,000 in just 12 weeks, starting from Saturday 7th February, to help transform Thetford Cricket Club into a welcoming, accessible destination for the whole community.
The funds raised will be used to install new three-lane practice nets, create an accessible boundary path with benches, and further develop the clubhouse and facilities, making the club somewhere people actively want to spend time.
The official launch event will take place at Thetford Cricket Club on Saturday 7th February. Please use the QR code opposite to book your place. As part of the challenge, club members are being encouraged to create their own fundraising activities and involve friends, family and workplaces.
A key element of Project 100 is its inclusive sponsorship model. The club has created four sponsorship tiers, ensuring there is something for every budget — sponsorship that gives back. Packages range from £100, which includes four hours’ use of the clubhouse with bar staff, right up to £20,000 business partnerships. Higher-tier sponsorships include benefits such as sponsor boards, naming rights for one of the new nets, and tailored clubhouse packages.
A new sponsorship wall will also be installed in the clubhouse, recognising and celebrating those who support the project. The emphasis is firmly on partnership rather than donation. “You will be supporting a venture that is bigger than just a club — we want to work with people,” Kim explained.
Kim (R) with Kerry and Ben and their warm bags at Chapter 15 during the club volunteering session Image: ©Chapter 15
Community involvement sits at the heart of Project 100. Over the winter, the club partnered with Chapter 15, a local charity supporting homeless people in Thetford. Club members came together to create 25 ‘warm bags’ filled with essential items, including gloves, flasks, warm socks, blankets, thermal mugs and treats. The bags were extremely well received, and a group of club members also volunteered their time directly with the charity. Following the success of the project, Thetford Cricket Club has committed to partnering with Chapter 15 throughout 2026.
Project 100 will also enable new volunteer opportunities. One volunteer, John, is currently recovering from a stroke and returning to work. With a background in marketing, he has been able to support the club while progressing with his recovery — a powerful example of how the club is creating meaningful opportunities for people in the town.
Further initiatives are already in the pipeline. The club is planning a Business Cup competition in early April, where teams from local companies will compete against each other, strengthening ties between the club and the business community.
As part of Project 100, the club has also partnered with Seak Aid, an organisation that empowers disadvantaged youth through sport by collecting and distributing donated sports equipment across the UK and the Caribbean. Through Seak Aid, Project 100 has now been backed by former England cricketer Graham Gooch.
“To have the backing of one of England’s most respected cricketing figures is a huge moment for everyone at Thetford Town Cricket Club. It shows that what we are building in Thetford matters, not just to our members, but to the wider cricket community too.”
Project 100 represents a major step forward for Thetford Cricket Club — not just in sporting terms, but as a force for good within the town. Together, Project 100 aims to build something lasting, for cricket, for community, and for Thetford.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, please contact Kim Lockwood at project100hub@gmail.com or visit www.project100hub.wixsite.com/project-100, or sign up and attend the launch evening at the club’s Mundford Road ground.
