SCHOOL CHILDREN BOWLED OVER BY ASHES STAR

Children from an Amersham school were knocked for six when a star of the current Australian ‘Ashes’ team dropped in for a training session.

Michael Clarke, was guest of honour at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School for a fundraising event, hosted by Little Chalfont Volkswagen retailer, Citygate.

The Australian vice-captain who scored 83 in the first test of the current Ashes series at Cardiff, spent over an hour in a training session with 30 students before presenting 12-year-old Ollie Penton with a ‘Centurion’s Certificate’.

The award was in recognition of Ollie’s first century for the school earlier this season, one of a remarkable four in total. Awards were also presented to Tom Crick and Sam Bracey in recognition of outstanding performances over the season.

The 28-year-old then hosted a Q & A session with England One Day International, Samit Patel, in front of over 180 children, staff and parents.

The evening concluded with a raffle to win a Volkswagen Golf GTi courtesy of Citygate for the weekend and an auction for a signed Michael Clarke shirt worn at the first test in Cardiff.

A total of over £1,400 was raised which will go towards supporting the provision of cricket at the school.

Dr Challoner’s School’s headmaster, Dr Mark Fenton, said: “The evening was a great success and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the training session with Michael.

“We can’t thank Citygate Volkswagen enough for helping organise the evening, without who the appearance of Michael Clarke wouldn’t have been possible.

“The boys certainly picked up some tips of playing and touring, which some will take with them to the summer tour of Grenada in the West Indies.”

Clarke said: “As an Australian in England during the Ashes series it was great to be met with so many smiling faces.

“I really enjoyed the evening and could see some of the students becoming potential players for England in future Ashes series.”

Citygate Volkswagen’s brand manager, Peter Wood, concluded: “Citygate in Little Chalfont has a special relationship with Dr Challoner’s School and we’re delighted to have made so much money for the school during the evening.”

If you are interested in this story please contact Richard Knowles on 01902 714 957 or email richard@connect-group.com