Varun Aaron and (top) Loyola School principal Father Victor Misquith exhibits one of the bats with the pacer’s signature on Wednesday. (Bhola Prasad)

Loyola School is ready to bat a thousand thalassaemia beamers, thanks to a little help from international pacer and alumnus Varun Aaron.

The city cradle on Thursday will distribute the cricketer’s trusted field gear — two Gunn & Moore willows each valued at Rs 20,000 and two balls costing no less than Rs 2,000 together — to motivate students to fight against the life-threatening disease.

The 22-year-old bowler, who has clocked a maximum delivery speed of 153.5kmph, had visited his alma mater in July this year and requested Loyola principal Father Victor Misquith to hand over the bats and balls to the two best student warriors.

Father Misquith said Varun — who was chosen the brand ambassador of Anurag Foundation, an organisation working for thalassaemia patients — has also promised to return to the city from his current base in Chennai to aid the fight against the disease, both financially and otherwise.

President of Anurag Foundation Ronald D’ Costa said Varun wanted Loyola School’s efforts to be a working model for other cradles. “So, to motivate school students, he donated the bats and balls, each bearing his signature,” he added.

Father Misquith said Varun, who completed Class 10 from Loyola in 2008, was eager to pitch in for the cause.

“This year, we will contribute around Rs 2.7 lakh to the foundation. Our student groups also visit ADM Hospital in Baridih regularly to interact with thalassaemic children,” the principal said, adding that Varun had promised a visit to the hospital the next time he was in the city.

Jamshedpur has a staggering 700 people suffering from the genetic disease. The funds from Loyola help the foundation arrange for free medicines, which are required after blood transfusion. “Each patient requires medication costing over Rs 1,500 a month,” said D’ Costa.

The foundation members firmly believe that Varun, who has played for Delhi Daredevils in the last edition of IPL and has donned India colours in ODI and Test cricket, would motivate other schools to fight thalassaemia

“With Loyola School’s efforts, we are able to meet the medicine needs of 23 poor children. If cricket can make more schools participate in this cause, more people will be saved,” D’ Costa added.