Lord’s Cricket Ground, England and Wales Cricket Board and MCC will be supporting the Ruth Strauss Foundation, by turning the ground red, with players from both sides wearing special commemorative shirts including Ruth Strauss Foundation logo, red caps and red numbers on the back of their playing shirts.The Ruth Strauss Foundation was set up by Andrew Strauss in honour of his wife Ruth, who died of a rare form of lung cancer in December 2018. The foundation provides grants for research into rare forms of lung cancers and provides emotional and well-being support to patients and their families.
Several of ECB’s cricketing partners will be showing their support for the day including Specsavers, NatWest and New Balance.
On Day Two of the Test match at Lord’s, fans are invited to wear red to show their support and create a sea of colour at the ground.
The famous five-minute bell will be rung by Sam and Luca Strauss. The bell is rung to signify the imminent start of play, and it has become a great honour to be invited to ring it on the morning of a Test match.
Supporters will be able to make donations in the stadium by cash or card and at home via a text message service. There will also be a raffle with a variety of cricketing prizes to win including the players’ red caps from the day.
Talking about the day, Andrew Strauss said: “The Ruth Strauss Foundation day at Lord’s is not only a celebration of Ruth’s life but will raise awareness and vital funds to produce better research into rare forms of lung cancer.
"Through these donations we will be able to provide grants for research and offer families vital emotional and well-being support throughout their cancer journey”
“The support for the foundation has been brilliant so far, we had a fantastic turnout for the Family Mile back in May with over 500 people taking part including players from the England men’s team. I can’t wait to see Lord’s turn red.”
Guy Lavender, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, added: “We are delighted to be supporting Andrew and hosting the Ruth Strauss Foundation day. Andrew was a fantastic ambassador to both Middlesex and England and I am sure everyone that comes to Lord’s or watches from home will be enormously supportive.”
The Ruth Strauss Foundation held their inaugural event, the Family Mile, at the Vitality Westminster Mile, where Andrew was joined by over 500 runners including members of the England Men’s Cricket Team.
Find out more ruthstraussfoundation.com