PCA to benefit from bad weather

The clouds that brought disruption to the earlier stages of the Benson and Hedges Cup 2000 have proved to contain a silver lining for the Professional Cricketers Association with the news that the money set aside for Gold Awards in the matches that were abandoned, has been donated to the PCA Benevolent Fund.

The total of £6,000 will help to launch the new fund, which will assist players in a variety of ways, including post-cricket career initiatives. The gesture by Benson and Hedges received the full support of the England and Wales Cricket Board, under whose authority the competition is run.

Barry Jenner, Managing Director (UK) for Gallaher Limited, commented: "The bad weather that disrupted the group stages of the Benson and Hedges Cup this year caused a great deal of disappointment to players and spectators. We are delighted that something positive will come from the abandonment of so many matches and that such a worthy cause will ultimately benefit.?

David Graveney, Chief Executive of the PCA, said: "The PCA is delighted with the generous donation from Benson and Hedges that endorses its long-standing support of cricket. Through the PCA Benevolent Fund, we shall be able to offer assistance to an increased number of our members."

For further information, please contact Fiona Foster or Simon Slater at Karen Earl Limited on 020 7243 7103/7100.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Professional Cricketers Association Benevolent Fund will be launched this summer and is intended to fill a gap left by the Cricketers' Assocation Charity, which is limited to looking after long retired ex-professional cricketers, many of whom played before the PCA was formed in 1967.

The PCA has pledged to make a minimum of £50,000 available to the fund this summer.

The fund will provide current players with assistance in a number of ways, including financial support in the event of injuries and help towards post-cricket career initiatives.

For further details of the PCA Benevolent Fund, please contact The Professional Cricketers Association on 01939 200202 or email pcam@enta.net