A DRIVE to raise £5,000 to buy an electronic scoreboard has been launched as a tribute to cricket mad school teacher Tony Proud who died earlier this year.

Mr Proud, 81, had worked for more than 40 years at Bedale High School as a design and technology teacher and was well known throughout the area, but supporters say his devotion to Masham Sports Association and the town’s cricket club was legendary.

Following his death the Sports Association has launched a just giving page to raise the money for an electronic scoreboard in his name. Dot Elliott from the sports association, said: “We are raising funds to renovate our scoreboard at Masham Cricket Club to have in place for the 2021 season a new electronic one in memory of Tony. He had been actively involved with our club for most of his life. This included playing, working on the ground, coaching youngsters and being Secretary and then President for many years. Without him the sports association and our clubhouse would probably not be here.

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Masham Cricket Club

“He was such a lovely man and a real presence, he even used to drive the school bus. He was lovely with children, he had a trick of flicking peppermints off his elbow and they loved it. His wife Dorothy and two sons Michael and John were also heavily involved in the association, I don’t think they had a choice.

“He really is sadly missed and we wanted to do something that would be a fitting tribute. We felt that a new scoreboard in his memory will be a lasting memory to him and recognise his enormous contribution to Masham, and we think he would really like that.

“Anyone who would like to contribute, who maybe knew Tony we would really appreciate it.”

To make donations go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ tonyproudscoreboardfund-2021?