CRICKETERS' TRUST PRESS RELEASE
Trust looking for adventurers for incredible fundraising opportunity.
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The Cricketers’ Trust is looking to raise much needed funds with a once in a lifetime trek in North Africa.
With the aim of raising £30,000, October 2025 presents the incredible opportunity for 30 participants to help fund the life-changing and often life-saving provision on offer to PCA members and their immediate family members.
Situated 39 miles from Marrakech, reaching the dizzy heights of 4,167 metres and the highest point in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco and all of North Africa, Mount Toubkal is an ultra-prominent peak and represents the next exciting opportunity to support the players’ charity.
The trip will run from 21-24 October 2025 with a two-day hike up and down Mount Toubkal in the middle, with flights included and a hotel stay in Marrakech and a look around the iconic city before making the journey back home.
In recent years, fundraisers have completed epic challenges for the Trust, testing their endurance on the London to Paris bike ride, which raised an impressive £50,000, the Headingley to Lord’s bike ride and the Three Peaks challenge.
The Trust was created to support the life-long health and wellbeing of past and present cricketers and their immediate families. As part of professional cricket’s leading charity, the Trust funds life-changing assistance through expert advice, rehabilitation programmes and a dedicated 24-hour Confidential Helpline, all vital services that hikers will be using as inspiration throughout three day adventure.
In September 2024, the Trust helped former England and Gloucestershire bowler David ‘Syd’ Lawrence tell his heartbreaking story of his motor neurone disease diagnosis via the Sky Sports cameras at Vitality Blast Finals Day.
The players’ charity helped fund a support chair and renovations to the family home. Calling MND the ‘sadistic disease’ and the day of diagnosis ‘the worst day of my life’, Lawrence appreciates the work of the Trust: “Seeing the stories the Trust have told in recent years makes you realise you never know what is around the corner, and that’s why the charity is such a great thing. It’s vital for current and ex-players. It’s a great charity that cricketers are lucky to have.”
Itinerary:
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- Tuesday 21st October – Fly to Marrakech
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- Wednesday 22nd October – Marrakech to Imlil Valley (1,740m) to Toubkal Basecamp (3,207m) to accommodation 5-6 hr walk
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- Thursday 23rd October – Accommodation to Toubkal Summit (4,167m) back down to Imlil Valley 10-12hr walk – Overnight stay in Marrakech
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- Friday 24th October – Day in Marrakech, then fly home
Cricketers’ Trust Director, Ian Thomas, said: “The Toubkal Trek represents a fantastic opportunity for supporters of the Trust to engage in a once in a lifetime adventure to Africa that will raise vital funds for those current and former players that need our help the most. We hope that the cricket family will come together and help us in achieving the goal of £30,000.”
England women’s bowler Kate Cross, said: “A trek up an African mountain has caught my attention. I completed the Three Peaks Challenge for the Trust which was a really enjoyable trip but this sounds even better. I always relish the chance to raise money for a superb cause that does amazingly at supporting players for a multitude of reasons, from mental health provision to life-saving care, the Trust is always there for us.”
Former England and Surrey bowler Stuart Meaker, said: “This sounds very exciting and a great opportunity to support a great charity. The Trust does such a fantastic job of helping out the current players and us former players too. Trust fundraisers are always a lot of fun and I will support this incredible trip.”
Register your interest by contacting Bee Ford bee.ford@thepca.co.uk for this once in a lifetime trek whilst raising funds for those PCA members who need it most.
