TWO of Bendigo’s biggest organisations will go toe-to-toe on Friday night.
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Bendigo Bank will take on Bendigo Health in a friendly Twenty20 cricket match with the winner awarded the inaugural trophy and more importantly, bragging rights.
The charity match will raise funds for the Asha organisation.
Event organiser Robert Murphy said the Asha organisation helps disadvantaged people living in India.
“Both organisations have diverse cultures and diverse staff that work for them, so what we are trying to do is give back,” he said.
“The Foundation was created by Doctor Kiran Martin in India.
“It is about empowering women to help improve the community.”
Murphy said earlier this year both Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Health came together to do something important for charity.
“There has been great passion from each organisation to get involved,” he said.
“Our target is $5000. If we raise that then we will be able to send a mid-wife to India
“Our intent is to make it a long-term sustainable relationship between the two organisations and also the Asha foundation.”
Murphy said hosting a cricket match was the perfect way to raise money.
“Australia and India... what better way to celebrate the relationship between the two countries then to play a game of cricket,” he said.
Players from both teams have been in training for the match.
Murphy said there had been some great banter between the bank and hospital.
“It is a perpetual trophy and I am pretty sure whoever loses this year will be desperate to win it back next year," he said.
Bendigo Bank’s Dennis Bice said he was looking forward to getting out on the pitch and playing.
“I haven’t played for 16 years and I didn’t go to training because I want to go into the game fresh, that’s the approach I am taking,” he said.
A confident David Rosaia from Bendigo Health said his team was in with a good chance. “It will be a great contest,” he said.
Both teams thanked the City of Greater of Bendigo for getting the pitch ready.
Gates at Tom Flood open at 6pm on Friday, entry is a gold coin donation. The game begins at 6.30pm.
There will be lucky door prizes and a raffle.
