Batting for boys

By Kath Gannaway
LEANNE Crisp proved a good role model for the many friends who are now pitching in to help her three boys.
The Healesville mum, 35, who died suddenly from a brain aneurism in January, created a strong network of friends based around the interests of her boys, Jacob, 8, Ethan, 6 and Zac, 5.
A benefit run by Badger Creek friends in February raised $2500 which went into a trust fund for the boys.
Now, Cricket Victoria has come on board donating a cricket bat signed by the 2004 Australian test cricket team as a raffle prize to help raise money.
The bat – signed by the likes of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist – is being raffled by Healesville Cricket Club where Ms Crisp was assistant coordinator of the Milo Have-A-Go Cricket Program.
To the Milo kids, Ms Crisp was a bit of a legend in her own right.
“She was always the last person off the ground at Milo; always out there happy to keep bowling to the one last kid who just didn’t want to come off,” said Milo coordinator and friend Trish Hegarty.
Ms Hegarty said the bat was donated by Cricket Victoria following a visit by the Milo team to the MCG last year.
“Leanne came with me to the Boxing Day test and at lunch she took 10 kids out on to the ground to play cricket. It was just a huge thrill for everyone,” she said.
When Cricket Victoria’s Milo coordinator Gary Brown heard of Ms Crisp’s death he organised the bat and a trip to the MCG for the boys to meet some of their cricketing heroes.
Ms Crisp’s partner Steve McIlroy said the donation was a gesture she would have appreciated.
“Leanne devoted a large amount of time to her volunteer work within the Badger Creek and Healesville communities.
“She shared her boys’ love of cricket and the donation of this bat by Cricket Victoria is a touching and appropriate gesture,” he said.
Zac was looking forward to joining his big brothers at Badger Creek Primary School where his mum was a popular volunteer whose wicked sense of humour and bright outlook on life was infectious.
School principal Garry Embry said it was rare to see a parent so involved.
“She had a major part in running the school fete, took a huge role on the parents and fundraising associations, ran the uniform shop and read in the grades almost every day.”
He said she was also on the pre-school committee and ran a local playgroup.
“Leanne was one of those unique, community-minded people and her loss has impacted our school immensely,” Mr Embry said.
The raffle will be drawn on 12 April and tickets are available in Healesville at Mountain Views Mail and Mountain Bait and Tackle in the East End or by phoning Ms Hegarty on 0438 622 365.