Former Nottinghamshire and England batsman Chris Broad is hoping that a day at the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge can further the aims of his charity The Broad Appeal in aid of raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease.

Aided by his children, Notts and England bowler Stuart and daughter Gemma, England team analyst, the charity have worked tirelessly following the tragic loss of Chris Broad’s wife Miche to the disease.

“We look over the past two years with a lot of pride,” said Broad.

“The appeal of course came from a bad story with the loss of my wife to Motor Neurone Disease, but the efforts that Gemma and Stuart, especially Stuart with his cricketing commitments, have been excellent.”

He added: “With regard to raising funds, there has never been a single figure in mind.”

“From the start, this appeal has been geared toward making people aware of this horrible disease.”

The Broad Appeal will have a considerable presence at Trent Bridge throughout the first Ashes Test, and are set to make the third day their own.

“We will be ringing the bell five minutes before play starts on day three, as well as having a unit behind the new stand with information for everyone,“ said Broad.

“We have also produced a video, to be displayed on the replay screens through the match, as well as interviews lined up with Test Match Special.”

Of course, there can be no event to better highlight the work of The Broad Appeal than an Ashes Test, with a global audience that could reach hundreds of millions.

“It would be amazing to achieve the feat of our message reaching such an audience around the world,” said Broad.

“The appeal is ongoing, it’s not all about one week, or even one day of one Test.

“What we’ve achieved so far is a start, it’s a great start but we have to keep working to raise awareness and find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.”

With Australia arriving in Nottingham on the back of a turmoil filled winter and spring, many are backing England to win the series comfortably, but Broad is sure that poking a wounded animal is a risky game when Australia are involved.

“The series is building up nicely,” said Broad.

“On paper England are favourites, but Australia’s change in coaching staff, as well as the spirit and grit that they have in all sports means that we can never write them off.”

Broad added: “England have a very experienced bowling attack, and I’m confident that they can put themselves in the position to win a few test matches.”

Of course, one England player close to the hearts of Trent Bridgians and Chris Broad himself is son Stuart, who has played for both England and Nottinghamshire this season.

“Stuart is an exceptional talent, and has done a fantastic job for England with both bat and ball,” he said.

“He’s playing one part in an attack that can really take wickets, and I think that will be the difference in this series.

“It is bowlers that win test matches. Batsmen can score runs to combat them, but in order to win a match like this you have to take wickets.” 

During his playing days Broad spent eight years with Nottinghamshire, scoring 40 first-class centuries including four for England against Australia.

“Trent Bridge is fantastic. It’ll be amazing when the umpires walk out on that first morning, followed by the players, what a sight it’ll be,” said Broad.

“A Test match is perfectly named. At the start, the batsmen have it a little easier, but in time bowlers come into the game more and more, and they’ll be looking for a result in the match at Trent Bridge.”

 

To help the fight against MND, donate £5 to the Broad Appeal by texting ‘BROA99 £5’ to 70070.