At PQShield, we love seeing our team get involved in causes that matter to them. One of the ways we support that is through our Giving Back Day — every colleague gets one day of paid leave each year to volunteer for a charity or community organisation of their choice. It’s our way of helping everyone do something meaningful, while feeling supported along the way.
Ahmar shares his recent volunteering day at Wokingham Cricket Club.
For my Giving Back Day, I headed to my local cricket club — Wokingham Cricket Club, which has been around since 1825 (yes, that’s nearly 200 years old — older than a lot of football clubs!). I’ve been volunteering there since 2009, and it’s been a big part of my life ever since. One of the highlights of the club’s year is the Dynamo Cricket Festival, where local primary schools come together for a fun, fast-paced day of cricket. There are two tournaments — one for girls and one mixed — and this year we welcomed 11 schools to take part. I help organise the event alongside another club member, which means setting up pitches, scheduling matches, coordinating umpires from the Berkshire Cricket Foundation, and even managing the all-important car park! The festival format is brilliant — each game lasts around 40 minutes, which keeps things lively and gives the children a chance to play multiple matches. It’s designed to spark a love for the game and encourage more kids to get involved, and we’ve definitely seen that enthusiasm reflected in growing membership numbers at the club. Cricket is a special sport — it’s both individual and team-based, teaching teamwork, perseverance, and patience. Over the years, I’ve coached children from age nine upwards and have seen many of them grow into adults, start careers, and even bring their own kids along to play. That’s what makes volunteering so rewarding. With the summer sunshine and cricket season in full swing, if you’re looking for something to do on a weekend, I’d really recommend visiting your local club. You’ll find great company, a welcoming community — and most likely, a bar!
Ahmar Gafoor, Senior Software Verification Engineer at PQShield