Glenn McGrath hopes to raise record amount as the SCG turns pink
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 05: Former Australian cricket Glenn McGrath is presented with a pink cap from Jackson Bird of Australia on Jane McGrath Day during day three of the Third Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
The SCG will host its 10th Pink Test when Australia and England conclude the Ashes series and the man behind it all is hoping to raise the biggest funds yet in aid of breast cancer care.
Glenn McGrath has been providing support to women diagnosed with breast cancer through his McGrath foundation for the past 13 years, after his wife Jane was told she had breast and bone cancer and would subsequently pass away in 2008, aged 42.
The following year the SCG hosted its inaugural Pink Test and has become a feature of the Australia cricket calendar ever since, with players offering various auction items and spectators donating to raise funds.
With millions contributed to the foundation, McGrath admitted he was overwhelmed by the support the foundation receives each year.
“I think back to the first [Pink Test in 2009], to think we’d still be here after 10 years is absolutely incredible, the support we’ve received has been amazing,” McGrath said.
Looking to make the fifth Test the biggest one yet since the SCG’s redevelopment to boast a capacity of 46,000, the bowling legend revealed the goal his team had set.
“Each year we like to set ourselves a bit of a goal as to what we’d like to achieve out of the Sydney Test.
“This year our goal is to raise $1.3million, which is to put on 10 full-time nurses over a 12-month period. Those nurses would support 1,000 individuals and families going through breast cancer.
“So we’ve set ourselves a fairly lofty goal, but as I say the support we get each year just keeps getting better and better.”
The chances of reaching the foundation’s total and adding to their 119 specialist nurses will be helped by tickets for the first three days of the Test all being sold out.