A fundraiser has been launched by the local cricketing community to help a long-standing disabled member and match scorer to continue to travel to games as his condition worsens.
Paul Stevens, a key member of the Melksham cricket community for nearly 20 years, is rapidly losing use of his legs after being diagnosed with Body Myositis, a rare muscle-wasting condition, in 2019.
Despite his diagnosis, Paul continues to be involved in cricket and sports across the South West and has served as a player, umpire and scorer for Melksham Cricket Club, a role he still carries out today.
As his condition worsens, Paul is at risk of becoming isolated and housebound, unable to travel to games. However, the local cricket community has rallied in support and is seeking to raise £35,000 to purchase Paul a wheelchair-adapted vehicle.
“The fundraiser is a jolly good thing,” said Paul. “We are wanting to buy a specialist vehicle that will be fitted out for my needs. What I want to be able to do is drive into the vehicle, lock my wheelchair in, and drive using handheld controls. We are futureproofing myself to ensure I can continue to be involved in the things I love, including cricket.”
Since the 1970s, sport has been a key part of Paul’s life and he was a top middle-distance runner. However, following a serious motorcycle accident at the time, Paul was told by doctors that he would never walk or play sport again.
Determined to get back to the things he loves, Paul underwent 21 operations over five years, teaching himself to walk again unassisted, and eventually joined Chippenham Hockey Club as a goalkeeper.
He then played for the England over-40s hockey team in goal, winning the inaugural Four Nations over-40s tournament in 2000.
He said, “At the moment I can walk very slowly, but there will be a time when I won’t be able to walk at all or get out of the house without some sort of adapted vehicle.”
Paul joined the Melksham cricket community nearly 20 years ago. He said, “At the time it was a ‘roving cricket club’ because we didn’t have a home. There was Melksham and Beanacre Cricket Club in existence; they had grounds in Melksham, but we just called ourselves Melksham and moved around. It eventually disbanded and then became Melksham Cricket Club.
“I have known people who play there for quite a long time and also play for the county seniors. I have been scoring in Melksham since 2022.”
Captain of the Wiltshire Over-60s men’s team, Chris Lailey, said, “I came across Paul through playing seniors’ cricket. His is a remarkable story of resilience as much as anything.”
Melksham Cricket Club third team captain, Abigail Footner said, “Paul is a volunteer who gives up his Saturdays to score for Melksham Cricket Club and was a huge part of our first team’s promotion last season. He’s a massive part of our club and we want to help him maintain his independence and continue doing what he loves.”
Pictured: Paul (right) scoring at Melksham first team’s last game of the season
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