“If the cost of these events is high, attendance is much lower, so there’s no doubt this funding makes the camps more realistic and affordable for parents
He said: “We have great coaches, great volunteers and 120 young people coming through the teams and all we want to do is carry on the good work because of the difference it makes
“I’ve been in team sports all my life and played County Cricket for Durham, which gave me friends all over the world. I honestly don’t know where I would have ended up without sport in my life.
The 2D Ltd Legacy Community First Fund is aimed at small voluntary and community groups and charities aimed at benefitting people in the ex-districts of Teesdale and Wear Valley, excluding Shildon. Grants of between £500 and £1,000 are available for groups that fit the bill.