PROFESSIONAL CRICKETERS' TRUST PRESS RELEASE
Big Bike Ride veteran excited to “do something different” with fresh charity challenge.
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Essex man Matt Coles is to run the Amsterdam Marathon in aid of the Professional Cricketers’ Trust on 20 October.
Coles, 29, has been helped out by the players’ charity “numerous times”, and is looking forward to giving something back to the Trust by covering the 26.2 miles next month.
He follows in the footsteps of Paul Dixey, Lewis Hatchett, James Kettlebrough and Chris Peploe, who all completed the London Marathon earlier this year in support of the Trust, raising nearly £7,000 between them.
The purpose of the Trust is to support PCA members and their immediate families when they need it most. The leading cricketing charity provides support both proactively and reactively, with an emphasis on educating young players on all issues that might affect them during their careers.
“The Trust help out so many people that play professional cricket when they need it, whether it’s past players or present,” Coles said.
“There are so many players, and in particular those who have come to the end of their careers, who need that help and I just think the Trust does really, really great work. That’s why I want to support them.”
Being a professional cricketer, Coles has not found much time to do long distance training whilst on loan at Northamptonshire for the majority of this summer.
“To be honest, I’m going to be winging it a little bit, but that’s all part of the challenge.
“I’ve done a few 10-mile runs and I’ll be doing the Great Birmingham Run before I go to Amsterdam, so hopefully that should cover it.”
The all-rounder has previous form when it comes to charity challenges. Coles is a veteran of two of the Big Bike Rides and, despite breaking his foot during the second, retains fond memories of both.
“The people were brilliant. Everyone who helped out, in particular Ali Prosser and the guys from the PCA, were amazing.
“I really enjoyed finishing in the dark every day on the first ride. It was a different challenge and wasn’t fun at times, but it was a very rewarding couple of weeks.”
Coles will be hoping to finish during daylight hours this time around, and his main goal is to achieve a respectable finishing time.
“I’d be happy with anything under four hours. If I just tell myself to keep going forwards rather than backwards then I think I’ll be alright.”
You can support Matt on his latest charity challenge by donating via his JustGiving page.
