Neil Carter - Warwickshire cricketers benefit year
by Jane Howarth
Warwickshire Cricket Club all-rounder Neil Carter is hoping to use his benefit year to raise thousands of pounds for his two nominated charities.
The South African, who is known as one of the most useful all-rounders on the circuit, was awarded a benefit year by the Bears after notching up an impressive 12 years at Edgbaston.
Now aged 37, the former PCA Player of the Year is busily enjoying the honour afforded by the club and is looking forward to boosting the coffers of Marie Curie and the PCA Benevolent Fund.
“It’s very nice to have been given a benefit year,” says Neil, who won the PCA accolade in 2010. “And I’m very honoured, too, that members nominated me for it and it was agreed I should have one because it shows they have appreciated the work I’ve done for them.
“It’s going to be a busy year, but one that should raise money for my nominated charities.”
Neil, who is planning to marry his girlfriend Megan at the end of the year, decided to support Marie Curie West Midlands to help it reach its £7 million target for the new hospice that is being built in Solihull and which is due to open in 2013.
He also is a keen supporter of the Professional Cricketers’ Association Benevolent Fund because of the good work it does in helping former first class cricketers when they retire.
“It’s a great charity that helps ex professional players and it is important to many who leave the game after dedicating a good deal of their lives to the sport,” added Neil, who was hampered by a pelvic injury in the early part of the 2011 season, but who fought back to take career best of 6-30 against Lancashire.
While he organises his benefit year events, Neil, who also won the FTI Most Valuable Player Award in 2010, is also concentrating on his playing and is hoping to enjoy another prolific season at Warwickshire CCC.
“I’m doing what I can on the park and combining it with the benefit year. It will be a busy time, but it is an honour and one that I am pleased to be involved with,” added Neil, who until the mid season of 2011, had played in all t20 games the Warwickshire Bears have played since the tournament began.
As well as bucket collections at home matches, Neil and his supporters are organising a series of fundraising events over the coming months, such as golf days, cricket days and curry nights and more formal dinners. There will be one fundraising dinner before the last international England t20 game and he is looking for big hitting names in the sport to attend.
Neil will be having a dinner in London in July with fellow South Africans Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis and is also hosting a golf day at the Ryder Cup venue The Belfry in Wishaw on August 12.
For more details about Neil Carter’s benefit year events, email neilcarterbenefityear2012@hotmail.co.uk or telephone the Benefit Office on 07920 468092.
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