CRICKETERS in Pickering have been bowled over by generous sponsorship from a local care home.

The Alba Rose care home on Middleton Road has become training top sponsor for Pickering Cricket Club.

The home’s logo will be displayed on shirts, polo shirts, tops and hoodies which players wear at training sessions and when the players are off the field too.

Alba Rose is part of the Saint Cecilia’s Care Group and the sponsorship is the latest in a long-standing support of local sport.

Director Aaron Padgham said: “We have always supported local sport and currently sponsor Scarborough Athletic, Scarborough Rugby Club and Scarborough Cricket Club.

“So, when we heard that Pickering Cricket Club was in need of some sponsorship, we were only too glad to help.

“Alba Rose is very proud to be a care provider for the Pickering community and delighted to support a great local sports club that provides opportunities for all ages to enjoy cricket.”

For Pickering Cricket Club too, the sponsorship continues a long-standing relationship.

By coincidence, first team captain Tim Whincup’s parents used to own Alba Rose, before it was bought by Saint Cecilia’s, and they too used to sponsor the club.

Tim said: “We’re really grateful to Alba Rose for the sponsorship. Alba Rose will be our training gear sponsor with their name on the tops we wear travelling to and from games and often just for social wear as well, so it is really, really useful.

“From a personal point of view, I’m also pleased that Alba Rose and Saint Cecilia’s are carrying on with sponsorship of the club, just as my parents did when they had Alba Rose. It is great to keep the relationship going.

“Alba Rose is a wonderful home and provides excellent care for the local community, we are very proud to have this partnership with it.”

Saint Cecilia’s Care Group also owns Saint Cecilia’s Nursing Home, the Saint Cecilia’s and Normanby House care homes and Saint Cecilia’s Day Care centre, in Scarborough and recently added Jubilee House, a nursing home in Whitby.