Stars come out for Edwards

9 February 2007

Monty Panesar and friends

England players Monty Panesar and Paul Nixon were just a couple of the famous faces who turned out to play in two charity matches organised by England women's captain Charlotte Edwards that raised £14,400 for Macmillan cancer support.

Both 20Twenty matches at Ramsey cricket club were played on September 24 2006 to produce funds for a cause very close to Charlotte’s heart - after her father Clive’s illness. Macmillan proved immense support during a difficult time.

Charlotte Edwards (right) handing over the cheque to Tess Youngs (left) community fundraiser and Lady Cass, County Chairman of Macmillan

The first match in the morning was between England Women and local players with whom Edwards had played with or against.

A sumptuous lunch was enjoyed by over 280 people from local businesses, local cricket clubs, friends, family and celebrities in an impressive marquee.

An auction of various cricket memorabilia was held to help raise more money for the charity and one of the items was a bat signed by the England and Australia 2005 Ashes teams.

Charlotte Edwards (middle) with her mother Yvonne (in red) and Lady Cass

In the afternoon England Women lead by Edwards played against a Celebrity XI captained by England spinner Ashley Giles and including present England players Panesar and Nixon alongside the recently retired Nick Knight of Warwickshire, Will Jefferson of Nottinghamshire, Darren Maddy of Warwickshire and Ben Phillips of Somerset.

The other players making up the celebrity team were Umpire and ex Northants player Rob Bailey ex England, former England spinner Phil Tuffnell and ex professional goalkeeper and local sportsman Alec Chamberlain.

Charlotte Edwards gets all the good jobs

Charlotte and her family would like to thank everyone (over 2000) who supported on such a special day. To all the sponsors and to all the people who kindly came down to support.

Edwards said: “I was hoping to raise £10,000 so the total amount we raised was due to everyone's overwhelming support!”