Nottinghamshire’s Luke Fletcher has announced the Trent Bridge Community Trust as one of the charity partners of his 2023 testimonial year, as well as becoming an ongoing ambassador for the charity. 

The honour has been bestowed upon the club’s 2021 Player of the Year in recognition of his performances over a 15-year ongoing stint with his home county. 

The 34-year-old’s Green and Golds’ career started in 2008, but the Bulwell born and bred paceman’s connection to cricket, to Nottinghamshire and Trent Bridge extends back further still.

A former age-group footballer in the colours of Notts County and a product of Papplewick & Linby Cricket Club in the recreational game, Fletcher spent time working as a gate steward at the county’s historic venue prior to earning his maiden professional contract.

“To receive a testimonial is an honour for me personally, and a really important part of it, for me, is the chance to give something back to the community,” he said.

“I know the challenges young people face whilst trying to make their way in the world because I was there myself not so long ago.

“Back then, there was no way, in my mind, that I was ever going to be a professional cricketer.

“The kind of interventions the Trust are providing to people now, I probably would have benefited from back then while I was still trying to figure out what to do with my life.

“To be fair, the Trust is helping people who are in far more difficult situations than I was, but I definitely feel that I can relate, and it’s a deserving cause as a charity partner for my testimonial year.

“I believe that every young person needs to find their purpose and what they want to do. Ultimately, mine was to play professional cricket, but that could so easily not have been the case.

“To be able to support a charity who are helping people who’ve had some tough times in finding their purpose, I’m really happy with that.

Offering support to the official charity of his home county club is nothing new for Fletcher, with the fast bowler having supported numerous events in the past.

“Fletch is an immensely popular character at Trent Bridge,” said the Trust’s Community Projects Manager, Mark Clifford.

“His relationship with us, as a charity, has always been terrific when he’s supported us on various projects in the past, and it’s great to now have an opportunity to make that more formal. 

“He’s had great success as a player, but through all of that he has remained grounded and I know how proud he is of his roots in Nottinghamshire. 

“For the young people who are relying upon our services, from Positive Futures cohorts seeking guidance as they navigate their teenage years to impressionable primary school kids attending the Trent Bridge classroom, Luke is a true role-model. 

“He demonstrates what can be achieved on the back of hard work, dedication and ambition, and he’s testament to the value of doing it all with a fun-loving smile.”

The latest Information on Luke Fletcher’s Benefit Year is available at LF23.co.uk.

To find out more about the work of the Trent Bridge Community Trust, click here…