Cricket
Mason made patron of breast unit campaign

Buy photos » Worcestershire bowling coach Matt Mason has been made a patron of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign. Picture by Ian Smith.

WORCESTERSHIRE bowling coach Matt Mason is setting his sights on raising a huge sum of money for a charity close to his heart after being made one of its patrons.

The 37 year old seamer, who retired from playing last summer after ten years helping to lead the County's attack, has been awarded a testimonial year for 2012.

And the Australian has chosen to use the celebrations to raise money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, which is aiming to build a dedicated £1.8million breast care unit by Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Mason, who claimed 318 First Class wickets during his career, chose the charity after being inspired by the courage shown by his friend Susie Coleman in battling to overcome breast cancer.

Mason said: “I have had a fantastic ten years since joining Worcestershire from Western Australia and as well as a successful cricket career I have made many good friends.

"One of those friends was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.Susie Coleman, who is one of the faces of the charity, fought a very brave and difficult battle to overcome the disease."

"It was Susie who made me aware of the plight of so many women who face this disease and who inspired me to support this very special campaign and one I am very proud to do so during my testimonial year.”

The first event to launch the testimonial year is a black tie dinner at Malvern College on March 2 where Sir Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank of England, will be a guest speaker.

Other events are also be lined up throughout the year, including a golf day and a sportsman's dinner with special guests Australian Test batsmen Mike Hussey and Simon Katich.

"It should be a lot of fun and hopefully it will be a really big success," Mason added.

"I want people to enjoy it and by the end of it hopefully we will have raised some really good funds for the unit."

Breast unit campaign director, Geoff Howard, said: “The campaign is extremely grateful for this exceptional support from Matt. This is doubly generous as not only will the campaign benefit from the contribution that he will make to the profile of the campaign as one of its patrons, but also from the generous gift of ten per cent of his testimonial receipts.”

For all the latest on Matt Mason's Testimonial Year visit www.mattmasontestimonial.com