Yorkshire Cricket today celebrates the life of Mick Rickaby.
Mick, who sadly passed away on Tuesday, 20 September, was a much-loved member of the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation team and thoughts from everyone at Yorkshire Cricket are with Mick’s family, friends and all those whose lives Mick had a profound effect on.
Mick started his volunteer journey with the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation back in 2018 as a Yorkie on match days and, at the end of that season, he started in the office with the YCF.
Since then, Mick volunteered on a record number of projects, and his kindness and generosity knew no boundaries.
Mick was part of:
• Four Crick-EAT Hubs, through our Health & Wellbeing theme, where he aided handing out thousands of children’s meals. One of Mick’s friends and fellow volunteers Andrew told the Foundation about a time on Crick-EAT where a youth was being particularly difficult and was sent off to calm down. Mick left him alone for five minutes and then went to speak with him, softly and gently. After a few minutes, the monologue became a dialogue with nods and smiles from the youth, who re-joined the group with no more bother. In Andrew’s words, Mick was the ultimate man for ‘pouring oil on troubled waters’.
• Mick has umpired in our Indoor Cricket League, run through our Participation programme, with various comments on his skills as an umpire.
• Mick also helped set up Walking Cricket teams across the county with many of the players valuing Mick’s contribution and dry sense of humour.
• He helped write match reports for the Grey Fox Trophy, as well as attending on finals days to help with the running.
• Mick also assisted on stadium tours as well as helping the Heritage team with administrating attendances on these and on online reminiscence sessions.
• As well as all of this, he helped with various administration tasks in the office, including heading up our charity request process where he distributed complimentary match tickets to other charities hosting events to raise funds.
Beth Cook, the Health & Wellbeing Manager, for YCF, said: “Mick really did throw himself into everything at the YCF and embodied what it meant to be a team player.
“He was kind, honest, caring. He listened without judgment and always helped where he could whether it was as a friend, or in his volunteer role. He had a brilliant sense of humour, always bringing smiles and laughter.”
Will Saville, Managing Director for YCF, said: “The Foundation is a better charity, and we are better people as a result of knowing him and all he did, and I know he would want us to focus on all those good times.
“He was proud to be part of the team, to work with you all and to represent YCF. He would want us to keep going, supporting more people in our communities, and telling the story of the work we do and the impact it has.
“So that’s what we’ll do!”
A parting note, in Mick’s own words.
“Today governs what you are going to do tomorrow, so start today,” said Mick.
In memory of Mick Rickaby
In memory of our Mick the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation is determined to keep up the good work in his name.
The Foundation ran a Macmillan Coffee morning raising more than £240 with all proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support – one of the organisations that has provided care and help to Mick and his family over the past few months.
YCF are also currently fundraising for the Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope, near Keighley, which helped provide expert palliative care and support to both Mick and his family, this has included the team taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge.
To donate, please click on the link below:
