Lord’s To Turn Red In Support Of Ruth Strauss Foundation
Lord’s Cricket Ground in London will turn red in support of the Ruth Strauss Foundation on day two of the second Specsavers Ashes Test between England and Australia on 15th August.
With the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Lord’s and the Marylebone Cricket Club backing the initiative, players from both sides will wear special commemorative shirts that will include the Ruth Strauss Foundation logo and red numbers, as well as red caps.
Several of the ECB’s partners will also be showing their support, including Specsavers, which will turn its branding in the stadium red for the day.
Additionally, fans will be invited to wear red to show their support and will be able to make donations in the stadium by cash or card and at home via text message. There will also be a raffle with a variety of cricketing prizes to be won, including the players’ red caps from the day.
The foundation – which provides grants for research into rare forms of lung cancers, as well as support to patients and their families – was set up by former England captain Andrew Strauss in honour of his wife, who died of lung cancer in December 2018.
He said: “The Ruth Strauss Foundation day at Lord’s is not only a celebration of Ruth’s life, but it will help raise awareness and vital funds to produce better research into rare forms of lung cancer. Through these donations we will be able to provide grants for research and offer families vital emotional and well-being support throughout their cancer journey.”
ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison added: “When we were approached about this idea, we were delighted to be able to support such a brilliant cause.
“Cricket is a sport that has a special way of bringing people together and we hope all supporters, either at the ground or watching at home, will support the foundation generously.”
A similar initiative has previously taken place on the third day of the first Sydney Test during the Ashes in Australia, with spectators invited to wear pink and donate money towards the McGrath Foundation. The foundation was established by former Australia national team cricketer Glenn McGrath and his wife Jane in 2005, three years before her death from breast cancer.
