Golf Invitational raises vital Trust funds

The second Cricketers’ Trust Golf Invitational has raised thousands of pounds with the help of long-time Trust supporter and former England captain Graham Gooch in the Algarve, Portugal.

Held at the Quinta do Lago Resort, the three-day event raised just over £20,000 from three rounds of golf, fundraising activities, both live and silent auctions and a raffle.

The invitational event was attended by 52 golfers, including current and former players with 13 teams competing for many prizes.

Former PCA President, Gooch, hosted the event once again having been a long-serving supporter of the Trust through multiple challenges over the years. The 71-year-old pledged £90,000 to the Trust over a three-year period in 2024, having previously completed the Coast to Coast Walk and Three Peaks Challenge, raising over £70,000.

A legend of the game and the recent winner of the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, Gooch played 118 Tests for England and scored 8,900 runs. He also captained the side between 1988 and 1993.

After three days of competition, former England captain and current PCA President Eoin Morgan’s team came out victorious.

Former England and Surrey batter Mark Butcher hosted the fundraising dinner before a couple of entertaining question and answer sessions with Gooch and JK Lever and then Morgan and former England bowler Steven Finn enthralled the guests.

The Cricketers’ Trust is a registered charity created to support the life-long health and wellbeing of PCA members and their immediate family. The assistance for current and former players in England and Wales is all encompassing, whether it be for physical or mental needs including provision of specialist equipment, funding operations, financial assistance or specialist wellbeing support. Money raised by the charity is continuously helping members’ physical and mental wellbeing.

The highest profile case in 2025 emphasised how the Trust supported the Thorpe. Graham sadly made an attempt on his life in 2022 and the Trust stepped in to help the former Surrey batter and his family with support and counselling. The Trust was there for Kitty, Amanda and Emma after Graham’s tragic death last year and were there to help once again. Butcher, a supporter of the Trust in front of and behind the camera interviewed the family on the support they received, which you can read here.

Cricketers’ Trust Chair, David Ford, said: “The Cricketers’ Trust Golf Invitational has raised a lot of money and every penny really is important. We have to be more creative in producing events that excite people so we can support those that fall on hard times in the game. Now more and more players are engaging with the charity and seeing that their own colleagues need help. The key thing is we never want to turn down a case of genuine need, we always want to be able to help.”

Former PCA President and former England captain, Gooch, said: “Everyone has brought into the concept of the charity and why we’re here raising money for such a good cause. There’s great camaraderie amongst the players. Having run charity events for many years, people are very generous in giving their time and money but you have to give people a good time and they will come back again and support. I want to give something back to the game because as a former players you’re responsible for helping others and I wany to support those that fall on hard times.”

Current PCA President, Morgan, said: “I’m here to support a magnificent cause, the Trust plays an important role in many cricketers lives. Whether that’s health issues, financial, there is help and expertise there that has been essential in elevating what cricket does well above other sports. Graham Gooch is the ultimate hero, everything he’s done off the field, he’s becoming renowned for that, he’s a selfless human being that really cares about the welfare of others.”

Find out more about the Cricketers’ Trust here.