CHARITY CHALLENGES

PCA Summer of Endurance 2011

In support of the PCA Benevolent Fund, the PCA staff putt themselves through a summer of hard graft, blood sweat and tears.

On 10 July 2012, Ian Smith competed in the Extreme5 Quadrathlon (1 mile swim, 10km kayak, 40km cycle and 10km run) followed on 30 July, by a PCA Team of Louise Michael, Eleanor Bowe and Ian Smith doing the London Triathlon, competed against a team from the Rugby Players Association.

Finally, on 21 August, Ian Smith and Jason Ratcliffe tackled the 60 mile Blenheim Palace cycle over the alpine climbs and descents of Oxfordshire. A worthy combination of endurance challenges to which all other PCA staff contributed by cheerleading, passing comments, giving advice, pointing and laughing and generally being 'helpful'.

All proceeds went to the PCA and RPA Benevolent Funds who, together, make huge contributions to the lives of past and present cricket and rugby players when they or their loved ones fall on hard times.

Three Peak Challenge

The 2009 PCA 3 Peaks Challenge started in Edinburgh on Thursday 15th October and ended in Manchester on the 16th October.  Eleven intrepid climbers tackled all three of the UK's highest mountains, Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, A total ascent of 9,700 feet, an overall walking distance of 26 miles and all in 24 hours. The team was made up of four professional cricketers, PCA staff, Commercial partners and friends who all had one common goal, to raise awareness and funds for the PCA Benevolent Fund.

Over £8,000 was raised for the PCA Benevolent Fund and they were the first team that the mountain guides had ever taken, that had started and finished as a complete team, which is massive credit to the camaraderie and efforts from all involved.

Everest Base Camp

On October 26^th 2007, a group of 17 trekkers made up of PCA commercial partners, players and staff set off on the challenge of a lifetime to climb 5380 metres above sea level to reach the Base Camp of Everest. The trip was planned to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Professional Cricketer's Association and to raise much needed funds for the PCA Benevolent Fund.

Over the 15-day trek, the trekkers had to deal with steep ascents, the low temperatures that got a low as to minus 16 degrees in some places, the difficulties of sleeping in tents and the affects of the high altitude. The symptoms of the lack of oxygen included headaches, fatigue and nausea so made the already challenging trek even more so. The team were supported on their way up by a group of 40 sherpas who not only led them up the tricky trail but also cooked for them and carried the kit.

Just below Base Camp on the Gorak Shep glacier the PCA played an 8-over cricket match against the Sherpa team and won by 2 wickets with just one ball to spare. This is believed to be the highest ever cricket match and was an amazing setting to play in.

The trek was one of the toughest things that the trekkers had ever done and really pushed them to their limits. They met some wonderful people, raised a substantial amount of money for a worthy cause and made memories they would never forget.