Professional Cricketers' Trust bike ride sets off for Paris

The Trust, which is the charitable arm of the Professional Cricketers' Association established to help current and former players who fall on hard times, is hoping to raise at least £50,000 to go towards providing crucial mental health support

Eight current professional cricketers were among a 30-plus group of riders to set off on a bike ride from London to Paris in aid of the Professional Cricketers' Trust on Tuesday morning.

The three-day trip, which was planned to coincide with World Mental Health Day, consists of a 418km route from the Kia Oval to the Eiffel Tower.

The Trust, which is the charitable arm of the Professional Cricketers' Association established to help current and former players who fall on hard times, is hoping to raise at least £50,000 to go towards providing crucial mental health support for more than 50 individuals.

"The fact is, we live in an environment where fundraising is more challenging than it's ever been, and yet our support and players leaning on the charity is at an all-time high," PCA chief executive Ro Lynch told The Cricketer.

"We have more professional cricketers than at any point before, and that means the PCA membership is the biggest it's ever been. We have the highest numbers of mental support we've ever seen, and it all comes at a cost."

Gloucestershire wicketkeeper James Bracey, Surrey duo Dan Worrall and Jordan Clark, Worcestershire's Rob Jones and Middlesex allrounder Martin Andersson are among those taking part, while England Women's duo Alice Davidson-Richards and Freya Davies are also involved, as is Glamorgan seamer James Harris, who is also the PCA chair.

^{James Harris and Rob Jones set off (Image: Professional Cricketers' Trust)}

Lynch added: "From my perspective, it's one of the most humbling parts my job, seeing cricketers who you had last seen performing in front of thousands of people then falling on hard times.

"I think many cricketers are somewhat forgotten once they come off the park, so the charity is there specifically to support professional cricketers during and post-career.

"A lot of people don't understand the work we do until you need the support. And that parallels for the PCA as well: there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

"I always say that I only get to know people very well when things go wrong, which is quite a challenge. But we do our best to educate and make people aware of the support that they have through the charity. Everyone quickly finds out what is the value of what is their charity."

Donate here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/professionalcricketerstrustlondontoparis2023

Related Topics

• "It all comes at a cost": PCA dealing with record numbers of mental health support

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