Children playing for Children

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 27, 2009 – For the past 26 years, Bakers Biscuits have been giving back to South Africa with their sponsorship of the Bakers Mini Cricket programme.  Run in association with Cricket SA, Bakers Mini Cricket is the longest running developmental sports sponsorship in Africa and is aimed at introducing primary school children to the game of cricket. Today, over 100 000 children from over 5 000 schools are involved in the programme.  
Bakers and Cricket South Africa, two landmark brands on the South African landscape, now bring you a brand new initiative in keeping with Bakers Mini Cricket’s ethos of bringing the game of cricket to all South African children. “With a solid foundation we feel that it is time to expand on the current equity that Bakers Mini Cricket holds. We are therefore extremely excited to introduce a new charity initiative - Bakers Bats for Charity,” announces Heather Partner, Bakers Category Director.
The initiative is based on each cricket union securing corporate sponsorship for each Bakers Mini Cricket match played in that specific region. “The initiative aims to showcase how children can come together and raise money for other children in need,” says Partner.
In August 2010, a cheque of R 1 million will be donated to Touch Africa, a children’s based charity who contribute to the lives of under privileged children across South Africa. Touch Africa is Bakers and Cricket South Africa’s beneficiary of choice for Bakers Bats for Charity for a number of reasons. Partner explains that Bakers Mini Cricket are proud to be involved in schools-based projects and with Touch Africa because the two initiatives have children in common and Touch Africa reflects the same values as the Bakers Mini Cricket programme. Partner adds, “We also believe in the sustainability of education-orientated projects.”
Gerald Majola, CEO of Cricket South Africa said, "Cricket South Africa wholeheartedly supports and endorses the Bakers Bats for Charity initiative that is aimed at assisting children through the Touch Africa campaign.”

"Bakers and Cricket SA have shared the same drive to bring fun and fulfillment to children through cricket for several decades now, and Bakers Bats for Charity is a most welcome addition to this.  CSA urges all its stakeholders, commerce, industry and the public to support this worthy cause," said Majola.
Mike Glover, Touch Africa CEO is as eager about the initiative and yearlong relationship between the organisation and Bakers Mini Cricket.  He says, “It’s so wonderful to have Bakers, Cricket South Africa, members of cricket unions and their neighbouring corporates getting behind this project. I’m have no doubt that this combination of resources will make for a formidable team and we look forward to making schools a better place and seeing improved school attendance and academic results.”

To find out more about the Bakers Mini Cricket Programme and Bakers Bats for Charity:
www.bakersminicricket.co.za