Trust support for players and families

The Cricketers’ Trust is set to take centre stage during the innings break of the second Metro Bank ODI at Headingley between England and Sri Lanka today (Thursday 24 September).

A video including exclusive interviews with former players Neil Carter, Simon Cusden and Matt Dunn explores the impact that the Trust has had on supporting players and their immediate family members.

Cricketers’ Trust Trustee and England coach Marcus Trescothick is due to be part of the coverage following the emotional video.

In addition to the support of the lead TV broadcaster, the ECB also provided space in the matchday programme for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka which contained the following feature looking into three powerful and moving stories.

Professional cricket is an intense game often associated with relentless pressure which can cause a deep physical and emotional disconnect from those around you. Behind the scenes, players face personal, emotional crises that the public rarely sees. When these situations arise, the Cricketers’ Trust becomes a critical sanctuary that looks after not only the cricketer but their immediate family network, standing as a lifeline of all-encompassing support.

For former Surrey bowler Dunn, the line between career and family blurred intensely after daughter Florence was born in 2020. Diagnosed with dravet syndrome at six months old, she suffered severe, unpredictable seizures. Dunn spent two years in survival mode, balancing hospital stays with professional cricket often on just a couple of hours sleep.

“I was on absolute autopilot, it was a testing time,” recalling turning up to training whilst his home life crumbled. When Florence tragically passed away in 2023, the right-arm quick was at breaking point. His wife, Jess, was pregnant, they faced a new mortgage and were financially stretched.

When Dunn finally opened up to the Trust’s representatives, the floodgates opened. For the first time, he revealed the full scale of his silent struggle.

The response from the Trust was instantaneous and unconditional. “They stepped in and relieved the largest amount of pressure I had at that point. I spoke to Thomo (Ian Thomas) and TJ (Tom Jones) and I had to go, ‘Look I’m not okay here’, there was loads of stuff I should have told them over the last two years. That phone call meant everything to me,” Dunn explained.

This critical relief allowed Dunn to process his grief and successfully transition to a post-cricket career in cyber security.

“I owe my situation today and where I’ve rebuilt my life solely down to the Cricketers’ Trust,” said Dunn, emphasising how the players’ charity alleviated the immense pressure that was overcoming him. The couple recently welcomed baby Wilfred to the family, joining older siblings Dottie and Fred.

The Trust’s family provision was also life-altering for former Warwickshire all-rounder Carter. Living in South Africa, Carter and his wife faced an exhausting ordeal with their young son Jack who was living with severe atopic eczema which left his skin red, raw and bleeding. The year 2024 became a ‘sleepless blur’, with the couple staying awake through the night, rubbing creams on to Jack’s skin and trying to soothe the pain.

Jack was hospitalised multiple times, triggering pneumonia and skin infections, taking its emotional toll on the family. When a paediatrician suggested the drug Dupixent, an expensive injection not covered on their medical plan, the treatment seemed out of reach. However, a rapid funding approval from the Trust helped transform Jack’s condition, giving him his childhood back, allowing him to sleep properly and play sport again, something the family are eternally grateful for.

“I’m always the first to tell people how amazing the Cricketers’ Trust is. People say to me, ‘Jack is a new kid,’ and I say, ‘Yeah, that’s thanks to the Trust.’ It has been life-changing in all aspects,” said the 2010 PCA Player of the Year.

For former Kent bowler Cusden and his wife, Jess, the Trust’s support has spanned almost a decade, originally funding Cusden’s life saving addiction recovery in 2017 following an attempted suicide, the Trust was on hand again when the family was struck by an overwhelming crisis. In the middle of a house move to Devon and with Jess seven months pregnant and mourning the death of her father, their son Jupiter was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and required intense chemotherapy.

“In that moment of stress, my first thought was ‘I need to call to the Cricketers’ Trust.’ I was met with exactly what I expected: no worries, so much reassurance, and the feeling that it would be okay.”

The support from the Trust stripped away “80% of the worry” as the players’ charity stepped in to manage the logistics of the house move, enabling Simon and Jess to remain at Jupiter’s bedside.

Today, Jupiter is on a 108-week chemotherapy trial and prognosis has jumped to a 98% survival rate after an early positive response. The family has also welcomed baby Rumi this summer and Jess added that knowing this lifetime support exists is “a relaxing feeling” showing that the Trust lifts the burden for partners and players alike.

“At these two huge moments in my life, right when I needed it, the Trust has been there, which is amazing,” Cusden concluded.

These three players’ incredible stories are testament to the Cricketers’ Trust being an active partner in the help and survival of cricketing families. Whether guiding Dunn through child loss and financial hardship, helping Carter’s son Jack access a ‘miracle drug’ or lifting the Cusden’s multiple troubles, the Trust treats every member with equal dignity by wrapping its arms around the wider family network, ensuring no player is left to suffer in silence.

Cricketers’ Trust Trustee and England coach, Marcus Trescothick, said: “I’d like to thank Matt, Neil and Simon for their incredible bravery in telling their stories. They’ve all been through an unimaginably difficult time and it’s inspirational to see they are rebuilding their families lives.

“Supporting the immediate families of current and former players is a big part of what the Cricketers’ Trust does. Despite being harrowing at times, it’s very rewarding to see the Trust make life-changing impacts on a daily basis.

“Cricket can be brutal for professional players and as a sport we rely on generosity to support those who fall on desperate times. We’re a small charity and I’d like to thank Sky Sports for their coverage and every single cricket supporter for their generosity and care for those players who have brought so much joy to fans around the world.”

You can donate to the Cricketers’ Trust here.

About the Cricketers’ Trust: The players’ charity was created to support the health and wellbeing of PCA members and their immediate family. The assistance for current and former players in England and Wales is all encompassing, whether it be for physical or mental needs including provision of specialist equipment, funding operations, financial assistance or specialist wellbeing support.

Find out more about the Cricketers’ Trust here.

If you have been affected by these issues or want to talk, please contact Samaritans for free on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org