PCA turns #RedForRuth

Emirates Old Trafford will turn red throughout the third Test Match between England and the West Indies in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation (RSF), with the Professional Cricketers’ Association encouraging its members and general supporters alike to support this very worthy cause.

For the second year in a row, the RSF is aiming to raise awareness of and funds for the organisation, albeit under very different circumstances owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

However, everything from the sponsor boards to the players’ caps will still be turning red, the favourite colour of ex-Director of England Cricket Andrew Strauss’ late wife Ruth, from Friday.

An online auction is also taking place, where you can bid on items such as a batting masterclass with Sir Andrew Strauss and Sir Alastair Cook, and a print of the winning moment at Headingley last year signed by Ben Stokes himself.

The event is the second of its kind, after the Home of Cricket turned red last year for the second day of the Specsavers Ashes Test Match between England and Australia.

The Foundation was set up by Andrew in honour of his wife Ruth, who lost her courageous battle against a rare form of lung cancer at the age of just 46 in December 2018. The aim of the charitable organisation is to provide grants for research into similar illnesses and assist patients and their families by way of emotional support.

Interim PCA Chief Executive Rob Lynch has expressed his support for the occasion: “For the second year in a row the PCA is proud to turn #RedForRuth in support of the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

“Andrew is an extremely well-valued PCA member and his work in this area on the back of such tragedy has been truly inspiring.

“After such a successful event at Lord’s last summer, the Association would once again urge its members and the wider cricket community to turn #RedForRuth in order to raise both funds and awareness for this fantastic charity.”

Find out more by visiting the Ruth Strauss Foundation website.