Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
Three matches, 24 mascots, one charity – the Professional Cricketers’ Trust set for Finals Day fundraiser.
The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is set to celebrate the biggest day in the county calendar while highlighting the life-changing work of the charity at Edgbaston on Saturday 16 July.
The Vitality Blast Finals Day is to support the players’ charity for the third successive year and with a number of heartbreaking and heartwarming stories told throughout the build-up, fundraising activities are now confirmed.
The Trust was created to support the health and wellbeing of PCA members who have entertained cricket supporters over the years on the pitch for when they are in desperate need for help.
A number of past and present players have spoken so openly on support they have received, including Yorkshire Vikings spinner Dom Bess and Hampshire Hawks seamer Chris Wood who are set to feature on Saturday. More recently, former Somerset batter Arul Suppiah has revealed the torture of his eating disorder while former Yorkshire all-rounder Jamie Hood has spoken about living life to the full despite no mobility below his neck following a freak accident.
Finals Day will also see former England and Glamorgan opener Steve James discuss his family tragedy in an emotional film that will headline on Sky Sports throughout the day.
With the Trust taking centre stage for Finals Day, awareness of the small charity will be raised with the aim to create funds to continue its work in being a vital support mechanism for cricket’s biggest assets, its players.
Once again, the Vitality Blast Mascot Race is brought to you by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust with supporters able to cheer on their mascot from anywhere in the world and be in with a chance to win 2023 Finals Day tickets.
Fundraising activities are set to include:
- Vitality Blast Mascot Race brought to you by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust
- Bowling activation with former England legends around Edgbaston
- Text FIVE, TEN, TWENTY or THIRTY to 70515 to donate to the Trust*
- A dedicated JustGiving page.
Support your mascot:
Even if your team hasn’t made Finals Day, you can support your team during this year’s Vitality Blast Mascot Race by donating £5 to the Trust to be in with a chance of winning a pair of premium 2023 Finals Day tickets.
On Saturday, mascots from up and down the country will be limbering up to take part in the prestigious annual race with a difference: they will be raising money to support those who need it most.
Getting involved is simple. Just text the FIRST NAME of your mascot of your choice from the list below to 84903 to donate £5 to the Trust and you will be entered into a prize draw to win a pair of premium tickets for the 2023 Finals Day.
- Birmingham Bears – HUGH or CARMEN
- Derbyshire Falcons – FREDDIE
- Durham – CHESTER or RIVER
- Essex Eagles – EDDIE or ELLIE
- Glamorgan – MORGAN
- Gloucestershire – ALFRED
- Hampshire Hawks – HAWKY
- Kent Spitfires – VICTA or VICTORIA
- Lancashire Lightning – LANKY
- Leicestershire Foxes – CHARLIE
- Middlesex – PINKY
- Northamptonshire Steelbacks – STEELER
- Notts Outlaws – NUTS
- Somerset – STUMPY
- Surrey – CAESAR
- Sussex Sharks – SANDY or SID
- Worcestershire Rapids – NILE
- Yorkshire – VINNY
For example, if you would like to support the 2021 winner then text FREDDIE to 84903 and you will automatically donate £5 (not including the cost of one text message at your standard network rate).
In addition, neutral fans or those with children who attend the ECB’s All Stars programme can support Twinkle, their official mascot, by texting TWINKLE to 84903.
Participants may enter up to eight times and the winner will be contacted by midday on Tuesday 19 July.
If you would rather just donate to help the charity continue its life-changing – and often life-saving – work you can visit our dedicated JustGiving page to make a one-off donation.
Supporters at Edgbaston will also be able to donate their used plastic pint glasses in dedicated bins around the ground and those in hospitality will have access to a silent auction.
With thanks to Sky Sports and the BBC, a number of the charity’s beneficiaries – both current and former players – will be there on the day to talk to the media and fans about the support they have received from the Trust.
In 2021 alone, the Trust supported 106 individuals with mental health problems, taking the total since 2015 to 526. 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 or specialist wellbeing support.
Please do consider supporting the Trust this weekend – it really will make a difference to those who need it most!
The Professional Cricketers’ Trust provides vital support to past and present cricketers in England and Wales and their immediate families when in desperate need.
The charity’s work is all encompassing, whether it be for unforeseen physical or mental needs.
Vitality Blast Finals Day is supporting the players’ charity and you can too by visiting justgiving.com/campaign/Blast22.
You can visit the Trust’s website to find out more information.
*Texts cost £5 / £10 / £20 / £30 plus one standard network rate message. 100% of your donation will support the work of the Professional Cricketers’ Trust
Registered charity address: Professional Cricketers’ Trust, 1 Brassey Road, Old Potts Way, Shrewsbury, SY3 7FA.
Donate To The Professional Cricketers’ Trust
Name of Author: Professional Cricketers Association
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey as the Cricketers’ Association, represents past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales. In the 1970s, the PCA established a standard employment contract and minimum wage for professional cricketers. It also helped create a pension scheme in 1995 and launched the magazine All Out Cricket and the ACE UK Educational Programme in 2002.
