The occasion, which takes place on the 66th anniversary of D-Day, will kick off with a Friends Provident twenty20 match between Durham Dynamos and Worcester Royals at 2.30pm, with a British Army cricket team then due to line up against Harmy’s All Star Heroes at 6pm. Captained by Ashes winning fast bowler Steve Harmison, the All Star Heroes team will be made up of a selection of professional cricketers and celebrity guests.
David Harker, chief executive of Durham County Cricket Club, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer our support to Help for Heroes and the fantastic work they do on behalf of the country’s wounded servicemen and women.
“I hope that as many people as possible will join us on our Help for Heroes day and give their support, at what will be a really fantastic family day out.”
Steve Harmison, captain of Harmy’s All Star Heroes, said: “The North East has a long and proud military heritage and I think that most people here know someone who has gone overseas to serve our country in recent times. It will be an honour to get a team together to play against the British Army cricket team and the day is sure to be an action packed spectacle that I hope will raise a lot of money for Help for Heroes.”
To help get the fundraising off to a good start, Durham CCC is running a special scheme for the event, which is being offered to all serving personnel and local TA centres – for every ticket that they purchase for £12, Durham Dynamos will donate £4 to Help for Heroes. Combined with the t20 game against Lancashire game on Friday 4th June, Help for Heroes Day will complete the biggest ever weekend of t20 cricket hosted by Durham CCC.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so supporters are advised to book their places early. Further details about the event can be found on www.durhamccc.co.uk, by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 499 4466 or in person at the stadium box office (open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday).