Barmy Army back Professional Cricketers’ Trust in PCA’s 50th Anniversary year The Barmy Army will attempt to raise £ 50,000 for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust as their official charity partner of the 2017/18 Ashes tour of Australia next winter. The Barmy Army raised £ 50,000 on the last Ashes tour four years ago for the Broad Appeal, the charity set up by Stuart Broad and his father Chris to support the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and they aim to match that figure for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust with a series of events around the five Test series. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Professional Cricketers’ Association – the players’ union was formed in November 1967 as the Cricketers’ Association – and a Legacy Year Appeal has been launched to raise £ 250,000 for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust. The Professional Cricketers’ Trust supports players – past and present – and their immediate family members in their hour of need. The charity, generously supported by Royal London, helps with medical advice, funding for operations, care and assistance and also funds education initiatives on health and wellbeing matters. The Barmy Army was formed during the 1994/95 Ashes series and has since raised more than £ 250,000 for different charities with an initial donation of £ 1,000 in 1995 for Soweto Cricket Club in South Africa. This winter more than 40,000 England supporters will be making the trip to Australia and the Barmy Army will be organising a range of activities, including the Fans Bashes against the Australia Fanatics. The PCA will help to support the Barmy Army by providing high-profile cricket celebrity guests for the charity events that will be held on the third day of each of the Tests. Money will also be raised through ticketed events, charity auctions of memorabilia and experiences, match fees and fines from their own T20 matches and the goodwill and generosity of both England fans and numerous corporate partners. ” We are delighted that the Barmy Army have chosen the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust as their charity for the next Ashes series,” said PCA Chief Executive David Leatherdale. ” The presence of the Barmy Army at grounds around the world has brought colour and humour to Test Match cricket and their support of England through thick and thin is very much appreciated by the players. ” But there is much more to the Barmy Army than just attending matches. They are committed to raising significant sums of money for worthwhile causes with a cricketing link. ” To raise £ 50,000 for the Broad Appeal was a magnificent effort and we will be working with the Barmy Army to help them achieve their aim of raising a similar amount for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust which is the charity for past and present cricketers.” The Barmy Army are producing an Ashes Guide which provides information on where they will be based in each city, where they will be congregating at each venue and lists many of their favourite songs. ” We’re very pleased to be able to partner with the PCA in their 50th year and to raise money for their Legacy Year Appeal which will support the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust,” said David Peacock, co-founder of the Barmy Army. ” In addition to our financial target we are looking to raise awareness for the very real wide-ranging issues that afflict so many current and former players whose cricketing skills and ability have mesmerised us and given us cricket fans so much enjoyment over the years.” The Barmy Army Ashes Guide designed for both independent supporters and those who are looking to take advantage of their official travel packages through Barmy Travel. It is free to download at barmyarmy.com. {{barmyarmy}}
