Strauss Backs Bears Campaign To Hit Leukaemia For Six

Warwickshire's partnership with Cure Leukaemia passes the £50,000 raised milestone
 
In the entire history of the game of cricket, only seven batsmen have made more than 50,000 first-class runs, but for Warwickshire CCC the figure has recently gained added significance.
 
Although the current Bears squad are too young to remember cricketing legends like WG Grace and Wally Hammond, they are extremely proud that their club’s pioneering partnership with Cure Leukaemia has now raised £50,000 during 2011.
 
Warwickshire’s efforts have been further boosted by the support of the England team, of which Bears’ stars Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott are key components. Commenting on the initiative, England skipper Andrew Strauss said: “The fact that Cure Leukaemia is saving lives, and giving hope to so many patients, makes it an invaluable cause that all members of the England team are keen to support through our Test at Edgbaston against India.
 
“The £75,000 fundraising target is a great initiative from Warwickshire. I hope that the thousands of England and India fans in attendance at Edgbaston, and watching on television around the world, can support this, and make it a truly special occasion for the charity and its staff who deliver these pioneering treatments.”
 
Warwickshire, who have donated £2 from each ticket sold to the Birmingham-based blood cancer charity, are hoping that the match’s opening day, on Wednesday August 10th, will push fundraising past their £75,000 target.
 
As well as being the first international occasion in the Bears’ superb redeveloped stadium, Wednesday August 10th has been designated “Cure Leukaemia Day.” Everyone in the iconic Eric Hollies Stand, which has been renamed “The Cure Leukaemia Stand” for the day, will receive a free red T-shirt, designed by 11-year old Lucas Pfister of Baverstock School and Sports College in Kings Heath, to help turn the stand red.
 
There will also be bucket collections around the ground and a text to donate number, which is also open to the general public. It is hoped that Midlands’ cricket lovers will support a charity which is very much part of their local landscape, by simply texting “TEST11 £2” to 70070.
 
To find out more about Cure Leukaemia and get involved in future fundraising initiatives, please contact a member of the team on 0121 371 4367 or email info@cureleukaemia.co.uk