Leschenault Cricket Club prepares for second Ahlia’s Blue Stumps Day to honour life taken by rare brain cancer

A cricket match with a difference will take place at Leschenault Recreation Park on Saturday as part of efforts to raise funds and awareness for a rare cancer. The Leschenault Cricket Club will swap their iconic green colours for baby blue as Ahlia’s Blue Stumps Day returns for a second year. The day is being held in memory of seven-year-old Ahlia Williams, the niece of Leschenault first grade captain Thomas Buchanan and granddaughter of life member Peter Buchanan, who died in November 2020 from diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma. DIPG is a childhood cancer which impacts the base of the brain responsible for bodily functions including breathing, sleeping and balance. The cancer is incurable, with less than 10 per cent of all children diagnosed surviving for more than two years after their diagnosis. Club president Angelo D’Agostino described the family as a cornerstone of the club and said they wanted to help out with raising funds for the cause. “We thought ‘how could cricket help out?’, so we asked the family ‘what if we have an Ahlia’s Day?’,” he said. What resulted was an event which would see Leschenault battle it out against neighbouring Eaton on the first Saturday of December. Mr D’Agostino said some positive changes had been made from last year’s event. “Last year, the two women’s teams played the day after (Ahlia’s Day), but this year we have been able to arrange it such that the women’s match will be in the morning before the men’s match,” he said. As part of its fundraising efforts, the club will be selling bright blue coloured shoelaces, cricket bat stickers and grips. The club will also auction special hats for the day as well as baby blue cricket gloves to the highest bidder. All funds raised will go towards RUN DIPG, a charity which supports research into the rare cancer. Nearly $20,000 was raised last year, with the club hoping it will be able to increase that total this year. Mr D’Agostino said the support from other clubs in the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association had been good. “Many people have bought into the idea, plus a number of people know the Buchanans and they know Tom Buchanan in particular (as) he is a great servant to the Bunbury association in the playing arena,” he said. There are hopes an Ahlia’s Round will be created in the BDCA, though it is unclear whether it will get up in time for this summer’s cricket season. Action gets under way on oval 3 at 9am with the women’s match, followed by the first grade men’s match at 12.30pm. Items for the event can be purchased at https://lccclubshop.square.site/, while direct donations can be received at https://rundipg.raisely.com/leschenaultcricketclub.