The Graham Gooch Scholarship, part of the Essex Cricket Foundation, has donated £3,300 to the Professional Cricketers’ Trust in order to fund a motorised scooter and stairlift for former Kent and England man Alan ‘Iggy’ Igglesden.
The generous donation was funded by the Chelmsford-based Graham Gooch Scholarship which was founded by legendary former England captain Gooch, who was both a teammate and adversary of Igglesden during his playing career.
Rivalries have been set aside ahead of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ in the Vitality Blast on Friday evening, as charity from Essex has shown its support for a character who is loved and respected across the game in Iggy.
Iggy and wife Liz revealed their family’s heartbreaking yet inspirational story to the Professional Cricketers’ Trust at the beginning of May, which led to an outpouring of support from the entire cricket family.
Iggy, whose 305 professional appearances between 1986-98 included seven for his country, has lived with an inoperable brain tumour for over 22 years, and his health problems were compounded when he suffered two major strokes in 2018 and 2020.
The 56-year-old is therefore reliant on a scooter and chairlift to enable movement both within and outside of his home in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
The £3,300 donation from the Graham Gooch Scholarship adds to the over £20,000 raised from the #5ferIggy campaign, which was a part of the national 5k May challenge.
The money raised will go towards the Professional Cricketers’ Trust, which supports PCA members and their immediate families when they have fallen on hard times, just like Iggy.
Graham Gooch commented: “The Graham Gooch Scholarship and Essex Cricket Foundation are pleased to be able to donate to help out Alan Igglesden, a great servant of Kent and England cricket.
“Essex v Kent is always a big rivalry in cricket, and I had many great tussles with Alan, but in his hour of need, we are really happy to be of some small assistance to him.”
Liz Igglesden, said: “We are so overwhelmed by the help, donations and messages. Iggy’s life is now literally powered by the love and loyalty of the cricket family. The donation from the Graham Gooch Scholarship is so generous, we are lost for words. We raised a glass to him on Father’s Day when Iggy had an outing on the scooter. I can’t begin to explain the power of these two simple machines on our lives; all three of us.”
Professional Cricketers’ Trust President, David Graveney, said: “Iggy’s story touched hearts across the cricket family, so a huge thanks to all of those who have donated, including the Graham Gooch Scholarship and Essex Cricket Foundation whose significant contribution has made a big difference.
“Fundraising for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust has been challenging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the money raised is much-needed for what is a small charity.”
