Grand opening to Luke Wright’s benefit year

Sussex and England all-rounder Luke Wright’s benefit year got off to a cracking start with a star-studded lunch at the Grand Hotel, Brighton.

Former England captain Andrew Strauss led a line-up of top cricketers who attended the lunch to set the ball rolling on what promises to be a momentous year for Luke who is using his benefit to raise the profile of three great charities – The Broad Appeal (Motor Neurone); Make a Wish Foundation (granting magical wishes to children with a serious illness); and Sussex County Cricket Club’s own charity, Sussex Cricket in the Community Trust.

EMC is giving the benefit year its full support. Nik Askaroff, pictured above with Andrew Strauss, is chairing the none-strong organising committee where he is joined by three other EMC people – Natasha Askaroff, Michael Gibbs and Ryan Smith.

Nik said: “Luke is a top class sportsman and a great ambassador for Sussex cricket and the game in general. He has been a stalwart of the county side and totally involved and committed to the success of the team over the last 10 years. He thoroughly deserves his benefit and has chosen some fabulous charities to support. We are excited to be working alongside him and I know it’s going to be an excellent year.”

Events already inked in on the calendar are:

24 April: Exclusive 24-seat dinner in the Sussex Cricket Club Museum with Welsh rugby legend John Taylor.

30 April: Ashes Preview Dinner at the Hotel du Vin, Brighton, with Matt Prior and Henry Blofeld.

26 June: Charities Golf Day, East Sussex National, with VIP guest Sir Gary Sobers.

12 July: Billingshurst CC v. Luke Wright’s Sussex CCC XI

11 August: Wentworth Golf Day with special guests Paul Collingwood, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Matt Prior.

10 September: Rugby World Cup Preview Dinner, Hotel du Vin, with ex-All Blacks star Doug Howlett.

7 October: Dinner at London’s famous Quaglino’s Restaurant with special guests Jonathan Agnew, Doug Howlett, Stuart Broad and England rugby star Danny Cipriani.

30 October: Lunch at Grand Hotel, Eastbourne with VIP guest speaker.

26 November: Closing Benefit Lunch at Grand Hotel, Brighton.

To find out more or to book places, visit www.lukewrightbenefit2015.co.uk, email info@lukewrightbenefit2015.co.uk or call 01273 945984.

19 March 2015