Iggy is a Hero
Last Sunday, I donned the whites and took the field to play cricket again. It was a very rare occurence, and despite playing from memory, it was my pleasure to do so for such a good cause. Alan Igglesden’s XI v The Bunburys, at Brentwood School, in Essex was the centrepiece for raising awareness and funds for Brain Cancer UK.
A mixture of Iggy’s professional cricketing colleagues, friends, family and fellow professional sportsmen including former West Ham United Captain Christian Dailly and ex-footballers John Solako and Tony Cottee made up Iggy’s XI and a good time was had by all.
Alan Igglesden is a long-standing (25 years) and dear friend of mine, who continues to battle brain cancer with optimism, courage and good humour, after being first diagnosed 11 years ago. Iggy’s response to his adversity makes him one of the heroes in my life.
We first came across each other in 1983, when I was playing for Essex 2nd XI and Iggy was making his into the Kent 2nd XI. We played a match at Dartford where I remember Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes putting Kent’s Laurie Potter in hospital with a nasty short ball which hit the batsman right between the eyes. In return, the late Kent Coach Colin Page unleashed this gangly 6 foot 4” outswing bowler with a ‘Spandau Ballet haircut’ to great effect, and a promising career was underway which led to many years of success with Kent, and some proud days in an England sweater in between some frustrating injuries.
We became good friends in Cape Town in the mid 1980′s where we played and coached and were fortunate to spend many hours in the company of the Woolmer family at their splendid home in Pinelands. Gill Woolmer was a wonderful and generous host, and her husband, the late Bob Woolmer, had a boyish enthusiasm for Cricket and a generosity of spirit which enabled him to share his passion for the game, (and deep knowledge), at any hour, of any day.
Throughout the last 25 years, our families have become close, and the respect I have for my dear friend has grown considerably over time due to his remarkable resilience, and determination to cope manfully with his health problems.
On Sunday, roughly 12 months since his last life-saving operation, Iggy led his team on to the field, and bowled the first over of the match off a few paces. It was a remarkable achievement filled with courage of ‘walking into the unknown’. Former Kent Captain David Fulton and his opening partner, the current MCC Chief Executive and former Tasmania batsman Keith Bradshaw, took strike and the cricket began…
It was a wonderful moment to see a popular cricketer bowling an over I never imagined was possible when I sat in The Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield last year with Iggy’s parents and brother Kevin. To be on the field with Kevin on Sunday, ready to field the ball off his brother’s bowling was a special moment in time.
Professor Geoff Pilkington has been Iggy’s saviour for the past decade with his revolutionary treatment, research, and compassionate support. He is a remarkable man who is doing pioneering work, deserving of wider support. Brain Cancer UK will help to fund increased awareness, research and support for people affected by the illness, and allow for Geooff Pilkington to contribute to saving more lives.
Sunday also gave me the pleasure to meet Jeremy Payne, Chairman of Brain Cancer UK on Sunday too. Jeremy told me he lost two of his brothers from Brain Cancer and is dedicating much effort to enable the charity to make a bigger impact over time.
Charity Cricket matches combined with fund-raising lunches are one way to help. The irrepressible David English and his Celebrity Cricket Team The Bunburys are a wonderful draw, and have played their part in helping to raise significant amounts of money for charity over the past 25 years. David’s commitment to Cricket, and Charity, have earned him a CBE in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List. His lunchtime round of jokes and general bonhomie, make for a hilarious time, and former England bowler Richard Ellison and I, found ourselves in stitches at David’s and MC Roger Dakin’s sharp wit in between courses. Phil ‘The Cat’ Tufnell delivered a powerful video message and offered some generous prizes for the auction too. The most important fact was that nearly £40,000 was raised due to the generosity of those present.
From a personal perspective, it was an awesome experience to be on the cricket field with Iggy again, and to witness his moving speech during lunch.
Sporting success often gets defined in a narrow way. There are a multitude of ways to be successful in sport and in life. Making the most of what you have is one definition. Iggy is a true sporting champion, who inspires me, (and I am sure many others) by the quality of his personal example. I feel privileged to be his friend.
Neil – well said. Just heard radio programme about Geoff Pilkington’s work that featured Alan. A very worthy cause and a very inspiring man