Senior players from North Broken Hill Cricket Club will wear pink this month to raise money for the local hospital's oncology unit.
The initiative started online as a Go Fund Me page with the goal of raising $1,000 for breast cancer patients being treated at the Far West Local Health District.
North Broken Hill Cricket Club vice president Ethan Thomas said the skipper of the men's team approached him last November with the idea.
"We wanted to do something to give back to the community in some capacity, so we thought we would jump on the breast cancer bandwagon and support them," Mr Thomas said.
Community rallies around cause
Mr Thomas said Broken Hill residents had enthusiastically thrown their support behind the cause.
"We've had people asking when our games are on just so they can get behind us, which I think is just so great for local cricket as a whole, not just the community," he said.
"I've been involved in local cricket in multiple capacities over the past five years in a non-playing role, and it's good to see it be at the forefront of summer sports as it should be."
The Broken Hill Musicians Club has donated an additional $2,000 to the fundraiser on top of its seasonal sponsorship.
General Manager Michael Boland said the money donated went towards the pink kits to ensure there was no out-of-pocket cost to the cricketers.
"The oncology unit offers such great support and assistance to locals going through cancer," he said.
Much needed funds 'greatly appreciated'
Mr Boland said the fundraiser had come at the right time for the regional health service.
"We've heard about the enquiry into regional health and the lack of funding that all regional areas face, so any extra money, especially from a grassroots level, is very important to get behind," he said.
"Any extra funds that the hospital can get to their local oncology unit I'm sure will be greatly appreciated, not just by the health professionals and hospitals, but also the entire community."
In a statement, a Far West Local Health District spokesperson said the money was great appreciated and would go towards the care and treatment of cancer patients in the community.
Spectators will have the opportunity to donate while watching North take on Central Broken Hill Cricket Club at the Jubilee Oval on February 19.
