Top cricketer Paul Collingwood is fielding support for Marie Curie Cancer Care during his 2007 Benefit year.
The Durham and England cricketer, who is currently taking part in the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean, will be attending a series of star-studded events in the coming months to celebrate his Benefit year, which has already been launched with team mates in London and Newcastle.
Paul decided to support Marie Curie Cancer Care, after learning more about the work it does through his connection with NatWest, which is one of the charity’s main corporate partners.
The 30-year-old, who was awarded the NatWest Catch of the Series in 2005, said:
“I’m very pleased to be celebrating my Benefit year and am particularly happy to support Marie Curie Cancer Care, whose longstanding relationship with NatWest has helped to raise awareness about the dangers of prolonged sun exposure among cricket spectators.
“It is a charity that has a particular importance to me because of the valuable work it does through its Delivering Choice Programme, which aims to give cancer patients the choice to be cared for in their own homes.”
Paul will also be supporting Chance to Shine – a charity that promotes cricket in state schools.
Commenting on the importance of the player’s Benefit year, Daniel Garcia, Chief Executive of the Benefit committee, said: “Paul’s Benefit year is not only valuable in terms of recognising the contribution he has made to a fantastic sport , it also provides a platform to raise awareness of worthwhile causes, like that of Marie Curie Cancer Care.”
The Durham born player was thrown into the spotlight when he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in 2003 before rising to victory with the rest of his England team mates in the final Ashes Test at the Oval in 2005. More recently he celebrated his 100th One Day International (ODI) appearance for England.
Paul is the third Durham player to have served his county for 10 years and was awarded a Benefit year by joint employers Durham County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board for his contribution to the sport.
If you would like to find out more about forthcoming events organised as part of Paul’s Benefit year log onto www.paulcollingwoodbenefit.com
April 2007
Photo by kind permission of Getty Images
