Cosker runs to raise money for PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust Former Glamorgan slow left-armer Dean Cosker will be pounding the streets of Cardiff next month to raise money for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust. Cosker, who retired from playing at the end of last season is now working for the England and Wales Cricket Board as one of their expanded team of Cricket Liaison Officers but he is finding time in his busy schedule to prepare for the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 1. It will be the second time that Cosker has run in the event – which has attracted an entry of 25,000 runners – having clocked one hour 45 minutes two years ago. He hopes to improve on that time this year but Cosker’s main objective is to raise money for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust. Cosker was an active PCA member during his 20-year playing career and took part in the first Big Bike Ride in 2013. More recently he has been touched by personal tragedy close to home. The PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust supported John Derrick, the former Glamorgan all-rounder and coach, who passed away earlier this year after suffering from a brain tumour. Former Glamorgan captain Matthew Maynard and batsman Wayne Law, another ex-team mate of Cosker, recently appeared in a new film highlighting the wide ranging support that the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust provides to players past and present. Maynard and other members of his family have received counselling since his son Tom, the Surrey and former Glamorgan batsman, died in tragic circumstances 2012. Law received financial support from the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust after the breakdown of a long-term relationship which led to him being left without basic household amenities. The PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust then helped Law fight his addictions to alcohol and pain killers by funding a period of rehabilitation at a clinic in Bristol. ” There have been a few things recently – Matt Maynard and all the turmoil he has gone through and is going through, John Derrick’s illness and Wayne Law opening up,” Cosker said. ” It brought it home really and that is why I want to raise as much as I can for such a fantastic charity and an organisation that has been so supportive of me throughout my career as well.” Cosker has set up a JustGiving page where donations to support his charity run can be made – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dean-cosker. In the meantime he will continue to step up his training ahead of the run. ” After finishing playing I have to find a bit of a focus to keep in shape. This is a good excuse to give it a good crack,” he said. ” I’m looking forward to it. I am trying to train most days. After long days sitting and watching cricket you have got to get the motivation to get on the treadmill or out on the roads. ” I’m trying do about 10 to 12 miles a week and when I get a bit closer to the day I will do some eight or nine milers just to get going.” Wayne Law’s story can be viewed here and Matt Maynard’s story here. For further information about the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust click here. {{ak_sharing}}
