Aberdeen cricketer, Abbi Aitken, is working to help raise £15,000, which will enable the Scottish Wildcats to compete in an MCC tournament in Dubai next year.

The women's game is on the rise in Scotland and Aitken, the 21-year-old captain of her country, is hopeful that a 16-strong development squad will join the likes of the MCC, Ireland and the Netherlands at the invitational tournament in February.

Plans are already in place for a series of fund-raising initiatives throughout the winter.

One of the most eye-catching of these will be a sponsored walk by the squad, in full cricket gear, including pads and helmets, which will see them crossing the Forth Road Bridge, en route from Edinburgh to Fife, on Sunday October 28.

"This is a terrific opportunity for us to test themselves, not just against the MCC, and the Dutch and Irish, but also English counties, such as Durham and Lancashire," said Aitken.

"The team will have a full week of intense matches, and it should offer them a high standard of outdoor action at a time when they would normally be stuck indoors.

"We are organising a race night, a fundraising dinner-dance, and other events, and the walk across the bridge should help raise exposure. The guys go on a lot of these type of tours, but the women haven't had the same profile until now, so this is a brilliant opportunity."

Aitken is doing a degree in events management at Robert Gordon University, with whom she has a scholarship, and she is grateful to the latter for helping her combine sport and studies.

"They have been great about letting me pursue my cricket ambitions and there is a buzz about this trip to Dubai." said Aitken.

"The youngest girl in the squad is only 14, so to have the opportunity to take on counties and countries with the MCC is fantastic."

Further information is available from: [email protected]