England cricketing legends Matthew Hoggard, Mark Ramprakash, Paul Nixon and Chris Read will be padding up to play a special cricket match in aid of HAC1537 – a charitable partnership between the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. The money raised from the match, which will take place on September 14th this year, will help provide a life time of support for soldiers, veterans and their families in times of need.
Mark Ramprakash will lead a Soldiers’ Charity XI against Matthew Hoggard’s City Select XI. The match will be played at the HAC’s Artillery Garden, one of the oldest cricket pitches in London. Joining Mark’s Soldiers’ Charity XI will be Paul Nixon behind the stumps, with Chris Read taking up the gloves for Matthew’s City Select XI team. There will also be a gala dinner following the match, which will also be hosted at the HAC. Guests will get a chance to quiz the cricketers with a Q&A following the dinner.
Matthew Hoggard, who in 2005 helped the England team seal their first Ashes win in 18 years, comments: “This is going to be a really great charity match, raising money for such a worthy cause. The HAC pitch is one of the finest pitches in London you’ll find outside of a cricket ground. I’ll be looking forward to giving Mark a hard time of it, and I can’t say I’ll go any easier on his team mates!”
Brigadier (Ret’d) Robin Bacon, Chief of Staff ABF The Soldiers’ Charity adds: “We’re delighted to have such world class players taking part in our inaugural City Invitational Cup. All those who are taking part and coming down to watch the match will be helping to raise money for soldiers, veterans, and their families who may need our help. Obviously we will be cheering on Mark’s Soldiers’ Charity XI, but I am sure it will be a close run affair.”
There are still a few spaces available on both teams. If you are interested in playing in the match or coming to watch, please visit www.soldierscharity.org/citycup for further details.