England cricket stars batting for good causes

London: England cricket stars are utilizing their spare time by doing their bit to support various charities, and have no issues in going that extra mile for a good cause.

England wicket keeper Matt Prior and the team’s wicket-keeping coach Bruce French would embark upon the 100 mile South Downs way on bicycles to raise money for Chestnut Tree House this week, which is a local charity. The charity is also one of the recipients of Prior’s Sussex benefit year, and his decision to give that extra effort has earned him plaudits among the cricket fraternity, The Mirror reports. Next Sunday, the England coach Andy Flower will be doing his small piece alongside team psychologist Mark Bawden by running the London Marathon in support of three charities, each with a special connection to him. Even England’s legendary cricketer Sir Ian Botham is not staying behind, as he will be hitting the streets again in the name of beating blood cancer and raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research. Botham has been doing this for over 25 years and has raised both money and awareness beyond all measure for a disease that kills far fewer now than when he started. ANI