Cricket Stars Surpass Fundraising Target after Epic Charity Trek – 24/10/13 Fundraising exedes the £ 200,000 target…and you can still donate until the end of this month! @Big_Bike_Ride A host of past and present cricketers surpass their fundraising target for two of the game’s best-known charities after a mammoth cycle trek. Organisers of the Big Bike Ride have collected over £ 200,000 for the Tom Maynard Trust and PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust after cycling from Durham to Lord’s. Yet, following overwhelming support from friends, family, sponsors, and members of the public – and with monies still outstanding – they are confident of surpassing the six figure sum. The ride, which began on Friday 18 October 2013, saw a host of cricketers, administrators and fans of the game ride over some of the most testing terrain in England. Among the current and former cricketers who took part were England hero Andrew Flintoff, international ODI and t20 star, Jos Buttler, Somerset’s Marcus Trescothick, former England bowler, Alan Mullally, ex-New Zealand international, Hamish Marshall, Essex’s Graham Napier, Surrey’s Gareth Batty, Middlesex’s James Harris, and Durham’s Phil Mustard. They were joined by a host of fellow county professionals and cricket administrators, including CEO and Chairman of Surrey CCC and Somerset CCC, Richard Gould, Richard Thompson, Guy Lavender and Andy Nash, as well as Tom’s father, former Glamorgan and England batsman, Matt Maynard. Along the way, riders stopped off at a number of England’s leading cricket grounds, including the Emirates International Cricket Ground, Headingley, Emirates Old Trafford, Trent Bridge and Lord’s. They arrived at the Home of Cricket to a hero’s welcome on Tuesday 22 October 2013, shortly after covering the 441 miles in five days, and capped off proceedings yesterday by attending the PCA’s Ashes Farewell Lunch for Alastair Cook’s England Team. An auction at the lunch raised an extra £ 40,000 for both causes to go with the £ 150,000 that was gathered in before and during the ride. Both the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust and Tom Maynard Trust are grateful to everyone who pledged money on their BT Donate page or by buying a lot at the auction. Donations will be accepted until 23 November 2013. The Big Bike Ride was generously supported by the headline sponsors, Brewin Dolphin, as well as Trek Bicycle Coventry and Cotswold Cycles. Additional support was also offered by Jaguar, who donated 3 XF Sportsbrakes with roof racks, to provide transport for the mechanics and support staff on the route each day. PCA Assistant Chief Executive, Jason Ratcliffe, who sits as a trustee of the Professional Cricketers’ Trust and the TMT, said, ” It was a herculean effort by all those concerned and both charities are indebted to each and every cyclist who put themselves through the mill. ” We are also very appreciative of our generous sponsors who offered tremendous financial support, those that fed, watered, and put us up, as well as those that patched up both our bikes and us when we needed help.” Matt Maynard said, ” It was a very emotional five days for all of those involved and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who contributed, not just those who went through the pain barrier but everyone who made it happen.” Speaking on behalf of the players taking part, Somerset captain, Marcus Trescothick, said, ” It was fantastic that so many players from across the country came together to support the two charities. It was their opportunity to give something back and support their fellow professionals who are less fortunate themselves.” Peter Land, divisional Director of sponsor, Brewin Dolphin, who took part in the challenge said, ” The days out on the road were long and tough, but also satisfying and fun, as we got to see so much of our beautiful countryside and got to know our fellow riders. ” Overall, it was a huge pleasure to be involved in The Big Bike Ride and to help support two really worthwhile charities that benefit sportsmen and women past, present and future.” To learn more about the charities please see the following short videos: PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust and Tom Maynard Trust. Tom Maynard Trust was set up in 2012 following the tragic loss of Surrey star, Tom. It aims to help the development of aspiring, disadvantaged cricketers and other sportspeople requiring support in their careers. The Professional Cricketers’ Trust was founded by the PCA to help current and former players and their dependants in times of hardship, upheaval, or to readjust to the world beyond the professional game. About our Sponsors: Brewin Dolphin is one of the UK’s largest independently-owned private client investment managers. They have 38 offices throughout the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, offering a wide range of financial services and have £ 28 billion under management. Their success is founded on their long track record of helping private clients, trusts, charities and pension funds to create and preserve wealth. Trek Bicycle Coventry is the largest sole Trek stockist in the Midlands. They are your home for everything Trek – not just bikes, clothing, parts, accessories, and spares; but also information and inspiration too! Their brand new, purpose-built store is located within Leekes Coventry, with 3,500 square feet of wall-to-wall Trek and other cycle-related products. Their ethos is providing the right advice to help you get the most from your cycling. Cotswold Cycles exists to support cyclists in the North Cotswolds with all their cycling related needs. Located in the Cotswold Business Village, Moreton-in-Marsh, they sell a comprehensive range of bikes, accessories and clothing. A full bike servicing, repair and custom-build service is available in their workshop, which is staffed by CYTECH-qualified mechanics. Buxton Water is the Official Water Supplier to the England cricket teams. The company, which first became an ECB partner in 2008, will continue as the exclusive supplier of bottled water to the England men’s and women’s cricket team for all home international matches until the end of the 2013 season. Jaguar is the official vehicle supplier of the England cricket team. All of England’s centrally contracted players drive one of their XJ, XK or XF models. Jaguar also has a strategic partnership with the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre. This association forms part of Jaguar’s long-term commitment to British sport under the umbrella of the ‘Jaguar Academy of Sport’, which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success. Here is the full list of past and present cricketers who took part in the Big Bike Ride: Gareth Batty Surrey CCC Matt Boyce Leicestershire CCC Jos Buttler Somerset CCC Dan Cherry Glamorgan CCC Matt Coles Kent CCC Dean Cosker Glamorgan CCC Richard Coughtrie Gloucestershire CCC Darren Cousins Essex CCC, Northants CCC & Kent CCC Lee Daggett Northants CCC Andrew Flintoff Lancashire CCC Darren Gough Yorkshire CCC & Essex CCC Richard Grant Glamorgan CCC James Harris Middlesex CCC David Harrison Glamorgan CCC Darren Maddy Warwickshire CCC Hamish Marshall Gloucestershire CCC Tim Mason Essex CCC Matt Maynard Glamorgan CCC Jaik Mickleburgh Essex CCC James Middlebrook Northants CCC Gary Montgomery Warwickshire CCC Alex Morris Hampshire CCC & Yorkshire CCC Alan Mullally Hampshire CCC & Leicestershire CCC Charlie Mulraine Warwickshire CCC Tony Murphy Lancashire CCC & Surrey CCC Phil Mustard Durham CCC Graham Napier Essex CCC Tim Phillips Essex CCC Ian Thomas Glamorgan CCC Marcus Trescothick Somerset CCC Mark Wallace Glamorgan CCC Matthew Wood Glamorgan CCC & Yorkshire CCC For more information, please call David Leatherdale on 07990558681 or email dleatherdale@thepca.co.uk. {{ak_sharing}}
