PCA raise £700,000 for Benevolent Fund during 50th anniversary year

The headline figure is the most money ever raised by the PCA during a single year of charitable action

^{The PCA raised £700,000 in 2017}

The Professional Cricketers' Association Benevolent Fund was boosted by £700,000 during the organisation's 50th anniversary year in 2017.

A series of events up and down the country, as part of the PCA's Legacy Year Appeal, generated the impressive total, which will go towards supporting players and their families who might be in need of a helping hand to readjust to a world beyond cricket, as well as helping current and past players who may have fallen on hard times.

The cycle of fundraisers began with a £50,000 donation from the Graham Gooch Scholarship and incorporated 30 events across the 12-month period, including the gruelling Big Bike Ride 3 - which also raised funds for the Tom Maynard Trust.

The headline figure is the most money ever raised by the PCA during a single year of charitable action.

Chairman Daryl Mitchell - the Worcestershire batsman - said: “2017 was a momentous year for the PCA and one everybody involved with the association should be extremely proud of.