Cricket United Day to return in 2016

Cricket United Day to return in 2016 The UK’s biggest cricket awareness and fundraising day is back in 2016. Following on from the most successful Cricket United Day yet in 2015, next year it will take place on day three of the fourth Investec Test match between England and Pakistan at the Kia Oval on Saturday 13 August 2016. The initiative was created in 2013 by three cricket charities, the Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine and PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust and raised over £ 100,000 in the opening two years of the partnership which aims to turn the Kia Oval blue for the day. But fundraising in 2015 more than doubled that of the previous two years after £ 170,000 was raised for the three charities. Highlights of the campaign included the 2005 Ashes legends sketching the current Test side with the victorious squad returning the favour, which raised over £ 21,000. The ECB and Cricket Australia also supplied Cricket United themed Test caps which were auctioned off to contribute towards the significant fundraising on the day as cricket came together to change lives. Last summer saw Blue Bails Day launch in the Ryman Surrey Championship with 25 local clubs joining forces with the three leading cricket charities in the UK to turn their grounds blue and raise vital funds for Cricket United and their own club. {{unitedv2016}} Your generous donations over the first three years have enabled: The Lord’s Taverners to give thousands of disadvantaged and disabled young people throughout the UK a sporting chance. One thousand children in state schools the chance to play cricket and learn key life skills such as teamwork, leadership and respect through Chance to Shine. The PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust to run a confidential counselling service, utilising a national and international network of specialists, and provide advice and treatment to players and immediate family members suffering from any debilitating issues, either mentally or physically. All your support has gone a long way to helping us improve more lives through cricket. Click here to see some of the individuals who have benefited from the three charities. The 2016 appeal is already off to a great start thanks to Surrey County Cricket Club as fans will now have the option to donate to the cause when buying their tickets for any of the five days of the fourth Investec Ashes Test match between England and Pakistan. More details on fundraising activity before and on Cricket United Day 2016 will be confirmed in the coming months. Cricket United ambassador, Michael Vaughan, said: ” I am delighted Cricket United Day is secured for another year and big thanks has to go to the ECB for being so supportive of the fundraising and awareness campaign which is crucial to the three largest cricket charities in the UK. Saturday 13 August 2016 is the date for your diary and I am already looking forward to seeing the Kia Oval turn blue once again.’ ‘Over the first three years the progress has been incredible and I am hoping next year will be even bigger. I have no doubts over the next five years it will become a massive day for cricket. I am looking forward to working closely with Cricket United once again over the next 10-months as the Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine and the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust come together and unite to help change lives through the sport we all love.” For all the latest Cricket United news follow them on Twitter and like their Facebook page. {{ak_sharing}}