Alan Igglesden Softball Festival returns to Bingley

The Alan Igglesden Softball Festival brought nearly a hundred junior cricketers together at Beckfoot Lane in Bingley back in August.

Hosted by Bingley Congs Cricket Club, it saw 12 teams across six pitches take part in mixed under-9 and under-12 girls tournaments. Among those juniors whacking the ball around was Beth, Iggy’s daughter.

Photo below is: Iggy’s family at Bingley Congs

Alan Igglesden Softball Festival

Liz, Iggy’s wife, said: “Beth has joined her dad’s local cricket club and wears the team shirt with her dad’s charity logo on. She turns up on Wednesdays and Fridays, to a ground crawling with juniors, boys and girls. The place runs on the devotion of volunteers and the funding of Iggy’s Fund.”

“It’s beyond beautiful and is the best memorial I could ever have wished for to hold Iggy’s memory. Iggy would have been bursting with pride and sheer joy if he could see the scores of kids loving the game that he adored.”

This annual Congs celebration in memory of former England and Kent cricketer Alan Igglesden (known as ‘Iggy’) combines laughs on the field with fundraising and reflection off it.

Alan died from an inoperable brain tumour on 1 November 2021 and Iggy’s Fund was set up by his brother Kevin to raise funds for brain cancer research, as well as financially supporting those affected.

Its family-friendly, inclusive events raise awareness of the charity’s work and make a huge difference to people’s lives.

The powerful impact of Iggy’s Fund continues with assistance to cricket clubs in Yorkshire and Kent, where Alan played, as a direct link to his legacy.

Impact of Iggy’s Fund

Iggy played club cricket for Bingley Congs, where Iggy’s Fund is the main junior sponsor for 2026. It’s a theme that has continued with £3k donations to a number of clubs (such as Holmesdale, Wilcot and Leeds & Broomfield).

Nor is it just cricket either: The charity has also backed the first ever Down Syndrome Team from Great Britain that took part in the World Down Syndrome Athletics Championships in June.

Meanwhile, donations to research into brain tumours has been a key charity mission since its inception.

Iggy’s Fund gave £25,000 to Professor Neil Carragher’s research at the University of Edinburgh, while a £30k donation to Professor Maya Thanou ActNano project reaffirms that commitment.

Personal reflections on Iggy

I have written about Remembering Iggy and my own connection to his family that started with an interview for The Cricketer years back.

I have bowled in league cricket, with Iggy (above right) standing at slip, his giant bucket hands waiting as the threads on a well-loved Kent jumper danced in the Yorkshire breeze.

Iggy drove me to games in his sports car out in the Dales, admitting that he had no clue where he was going and just trying not to lose the car in front!

He was back driving again after the first stroke; the freedom of zooming down country lanes with Iggy’s massive kit bag taking up the whole back seat.

When Iggy was in a wheelchair, I would fetch him those tiny packs of Haribos, only to see them demolished in seconds, with a cheeky grin. He was a kind, gentle soul with a humour and warmth that touched everyone he knew.

What events like the softball festival at Bingley Congs do, as well as fundraising efforts across the country, is keep Iggy’s memory alive while nurturing the game that he held dear.

Great North Run for Iggy

On 13 September, a team of runners will be part of the 63,000 participants doing the AJ Bell Great North Run.

This half marathon from the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields will raise money for incredible causes, including Iggy’s Fund.

You can read more and donate directly to the charity or via Liz’s JustGiving page. Iggy’s Fund also does golf days and events such as Lunch with Tuffers and Friends in London on 6 November.

This is ultimately about a guy who played cricket for his county and his country. He would light up a room and is missed by family and friends.

We all have charities that are close to us and whether you donate, read a bit about Iggy or share this article with someone else, it will help.

Visit Iggy’s Fund Website

You can visit Iggy’s Fund to read more about Alan Igglesden as well as the Charity Ambassadors from across the game. There’s even an online shop for merch to get kitted up in style and back this amazing charity at the same time.