Professional Cricketers' Trust launches fundraising campaign to make up for £250,000 coronavirus shortfall

The majority of fundraising for the organisation normally takes place through events run by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), many of which have had to be postponed

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust has launched a fundraising campaign to support the charity, which is forecast to lose over £250,000 in 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis.

The majority of fundraising for the organisation normally takes place through events run by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). With many of those having had to be postponed, however, the players’ charity is having to work through other means of securing funds in order to continue to provide its services.

The charity’s work includes providing medical care, mental health counselling and programmes to help against addiction.

In 2019 alone, the organisation supported 85 PCA members with mental health problems, with 40 of those cases relating to current players and with ages ranging from 17-year-olds to 88-year-olds.

The #charity10for10 campaign has been started by Marcus Trescothick, director of the Trust, as well as England white-ball captain Eoin Morgan and England Women’s seamer Kate Cross.

The initiative involves completing a 10km stretch of exercise – either through cycling, running or walking, before donating £10, posting on social media and nominating three people to take up the challenge.

Trescothick said: “The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is a small charity who have saved and supported countless lives and due to the coronavirus is faced with a huge funding shortfall. All donations will go directly to current and former players who have fallen on hard times and desperately need support.”

Morgan added: “Not every player is fortunate to have a long, happy and healthy cricket career and that is where the Professional Cricketers’ Trust is an invaluable support for all players. It doesn’t matter how long your professional career is, they treat everyone as equal and it is heart-warming to see how they take care of their own.”

To take part and donate visit the Professional Cricketers' Trust's Just Giving campaign - bit.ly/charity10for10