Ten years ago, Lou Vincent was preparing to embark on a New
Zealand tour of the West Indies after an impressive start to his test career
which saw him score a century on debut against the all-conquering Australians.
The 33-year old has chosen to spend the English summer
travelling around the country in a campervan in a bid to raise awareness and
money for those suffering with mental health and depression; an illness Vincent
has previously suffered from.
The former Worcestershire and Lancashire batsman is now
playing for Oxton in the ECB Cheshire Premier League as well as for friendly
teams such as the Lashings, and he is splitting his time between cricket and
fundraising.
Vincent, who has a test best score of 224 against the Sri
Lankans in 2005, made the decision to live on the road whilst he was coaching
in Hong Kong, but things did not get off to a good start.
“I had a mechanic up in Scotland who I found on the internet
who I got to come and check it out for me before buying it,” he explained.
“He said I could leave it with him for two days. That then
turned into two weeks and about £10,000 worth of work before the guy did a
runner with all the money I’d got through sponsorship and charity donations.
“It’s just sickening that you employ someone who you think
is a professional and the next minute they turn out to be a conman.”
Vincent, a veteran of 23 tests and 102 one-day
internationals, has overcome that setback and begun raising money in any way he
can.
“I was at a golf day at The Grove and was just playing golf
with four guys and I got bored so I asked how much they would give me if I swam
across the lake on the sixth hole.
“I raised £100 just like that for three minutes work.”
The New Zealander has been interviewing a number of
celebrities and cricketing personalities since he began his travels, with his
subjects ranging from Graeme Swann to Ainsley Harriott, although he still
believes he has a lot to offer on the pitch despite being released by Sussex at
the end of last season.
“I’ve got the Champions League in September for Auckland so
that has given me a little lifeline because if I hadn’t had that I would have
seriously thought about what’s next.
“The thing with cricket you’ve just got to keep patient and
keep cool. You have to believe in your ability and eventually it comes out.”
Vincent made an unbeaten 103 only two weeks ago for Oxton,
and although he will probably not reach the heights of the international game
again, his drive to succeed in cricket, as well as in his challenging summer of
charity work, is there for all to see.
To donate visit whereislou.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment