Support the players’ charity, Sandy and Sid on Finals Day

The Professional Cricketers’ Trust is set to celebrate the biggest day in the county calendar while highlighting the life-changing work of the charity at Edgbaston on Saturday 16 July.

The Vitality Blast Finals Day is to support the players’ charity for the third successive year and with a number of heartbreaking and heartwarming stories told throughout the build-up, fundraising activities are now confirmed.

The Trust was created to support the health and wellbeing of PCA members who have entertained cricket supporters over the years on the pitch for when they are in desperate need for help.

The Trust has strong links with a number of current and former Sussex players, including the likes of Keith Newell who will be in attendance at Edgbaston on Saturday and Tom Smith, who revealed his heartbreaking family story to the Trust in 2019.

In addition, Tony Pigott appeared in the 2021 Finals Day video which featured a number of current and past players outlining the importance of positive mental health and seeking the right support.

A number of past and present players have spoken so openly on support they have received, including Yorkshire Vikings spinner Dom Bess and Hampshire Hawks seamer Chris Wood who are set to feature on Saturday. More recently, former Somerset batter Arul Suppiah has revealed the torture of his eating disorder while former Yorkshire all-rounder Jamie Hood has spoken about living life to the full despite no mobility below his neck following a freak accident.

Finals Day will also see former England and Glamorgan opener Steve James discuss his family tragedy in an emotional film that will headline on Sky Sports throughout the day.

With the Trust taking centre stage for Finals Day, awareness of the small charity will be raised with the aim to create funds to continue its work in being a vital support mechanism for cricket’s biggest assets, its players.

Once again, the Vitality Blast Mascot Race is brought to you by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust with supporters able to cheer on their mascot from anywhere in the world and be in with a chance to win 2023 Finals Day tickets.

Fundraising activities are set to include:

• Vitality Blast Mascot Race brought to you by the Professional Cricketers’ Trust
• Bowling activation with former England legends around Edgbaston
• Text FIVE, TEN, TWENTY or THIRTY to 70515 to donate to the Trust
• A dedicated JustGiving page

Support your mascot

You can support your team during this year’s Vitality Blast Mascot Race by donating £5 to the Trust to be in with a chance of winning a pair of premium 2023 Finals Day tickets.

On Saturday, mascots from up and down the country will be limbering up to take part in the prestigious annual race with a difference: they will be raising money to support those who need it most.

Getting involved is simple. If you want to cheer on Sussex Sharks’ very own Sandy and Sid the Sharks, just text SANDY or SID to 84903 and you will automatically donate £5 (not including the cost of one text message at your standard network rate).

In addition, neutral fans or those with children who attend the ECB’s All Stars programme can support Twinkle, their official mascot, by texting TWINKLE to 84903.

A full list of all mascots who are running can be found at thepca.co.uk.

Participants may enter up to eight times and the winner will be contacted by midday on Tuesday 19 July.

If you would rather just donate to help the charity continue its life-changing - and often life-saving – work you can visit our dedicated JustGiving page to make a one-off donation.

Supports at Edgbaston will also be able to donate their used plastic pint glasses in dedicated bins around the ground and those in hospitality will have access to a silent auction.

With thanks to Sky Sports and the BBC, a number of the charity’s beneficiaries - both current and former players - will be there on the day to talk to the media and fans about the support they have received from the Trust.

In 2021 alone, the Trust supported 106 individuals with mental health problems, taking the total since 2015 to 526. The assistance for current and former players in England and Wales is all encompassing, whether it be for physical or mental needs including provision of specialist equipment, funding operations or specialist wellbeing support.

Please do consider supporting the Trust this weekend - it really will make a difference to those who need it most!