Kent cricketers raise thousands of pounds in PCA Big Bike Ride
Wednesday 14th October 2015
Kent cricketers have raised several thousand pounds for charity in the PCA Big Bike Ride.
Paceman David Griffiths (pictured above, centre) completed the 385-mile route on Tuesday to raise funds for the Professional Cricketers’ Association Benevolent Fund and the Tom Maynard Trust.
The 29-year-old underwent back surgery in August and preparing for the ride, gave him a focus through his rehabilitation after his season was curtailed by a stress fracture.
Griffiths, Kent's PCA rep, said: ""What a five days riding. I loved every minute with the PCA and Tom Maynard Trust.
"It's been very hard but my group was awesome. Sign me up for the next one."
Rob Key and Matt Coles also raised thousands taking on the challenge before withdrawing due to tiredness and injury.
Among the donations was a £1,000 pledge to Key from former England team-mate Andrew Flintoff.
Former Kent and England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones was among the 70 riders who reached the Kia Oval.
The former England player also took part in three fund-raising dinners during BBR2 at Truro Cricket Centre, North Devon Cricket Club in Instow and the BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground in Hove.
Jones donated a 2005 Ashes shirt for auction at the Hove dinner and also put the batting gloves he wore in his final appearance last month up for auction online to help take the BBR2 fund-raising over £120,000.
“It’s up there with some of the best things I have done. It wasn’t that long ago that I was being carried off at Lord’s after winning the 50 over competition.
“That was special, but this had got a different sense of achievement. Just the physical effort that has been put in and the people I have been with. It’s definitely up there with what I have done on the pitch.
“My thighs are like concrete, absolute concrete. What kept me going is the fact that people had donated towards it and what it meant for me to do it for two fantastic causes.”
The funds raised from BBR2 will be divided between the two cricket charities both of which are close to Jones’ heart.
“The PCA Benevolent Fund does such good work. It’s something that , who knows, I might need to call on in the future,” he said.
“I got to see Tom Maynard as a young lad when he came away on an Ashes trip with us. He was a cheeky chap, a good lad.
“His father, Matt, had a big impact on my England career when he was batting coach.
“So they are two causes that mean a lot to me. That kept me driving me on when it was tough going up some of those hills. But for everyone to meet up and roll into the Oval together made it all worthwhile.
“If they asked me to do it next week I would probably say yes because that is how much I have enjoyed it.”
Kent and England bats Tammy Beaumont and Lydia Greenway completed the first three stages of the five-day challenge before attending the Chance to Shine Awards on Monday.
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