AN ENTERPRISING pupil has launched a charity designed to help disadvantaged people in South Africa learn to play cricket.

Tom Robinson, aged 16, has created a website - www.crikitcharity.com - that allows people to donate unwanted cricket equipment to help aspiring cricketers in impoverished areas of Cape Town.

He decided to set up the charity after a school cricket trip to Cape Town last year, where they played against a side put together by South African cricket star Gary Kirsten.

Tom, from Prestwich, who is a pupil at The Manchester Grammar School, is passionate about the charity. He said: “Whilst most members of our team had more than one bat and several pieces of spare equipment, our opposition had to share three bats and sets of pads etc between the whole team.

“What the team lacked in equipment, they made up for in enthusiasm, and following the game, I felt compelled to try and help make a contribution towards addressing this imbalance.

"I have since formed a link with the Gary Kirsten Foundation in Cape Town, and they are desperate for any equipment and clothes you would be willing to donate.

“The simple idea for this possible venture is to gather around one full container’s worth of equipment from clubs and schools around Manchester to then ship over to Cape Town to be distributed where best needed.

“Many players, at almost every age group, replenish their kit as it either becomes too small or slightly obsolete at the start of each season.”

If you would like to donate equipment, visit www.crikitcharity.com