United off the cricket field by supporting CL

United off the cricket field by supporting CL after wife successfully in remission for Leukaemia

As England and New Zealand cricket teams face each other at Trent Bridge in the third test, two players have put aside the rivalry to be united in their support for cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.

Cure Leukaemia ambassador and England fast bowler Josh Tongue joined up with New Zealand cricketer Blair Tickner to show unified support for the work Cure Leukaemia do and the research they help fund around the country.

Blair Tickner’s wife was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL)  in 2024 while Blair was playing a county match for Derbyshire. Sarah Tickner went through treatment at Nottingham hospital and is now in remission but the work Cure Leukaemia does remains very close to both their hearts.

“When my wife Sarah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in 2024, it completely turned our world upside down. Going through that while playing a county match for Derbyshire was incredibly difficult, but seeing her fight and thankfully enter remission has given us a whole new perspective. The work this charity does keeps families like mine moving forward, and we want to do everything we can to support their life-saving mission.”

Josh Tongue added: “As a Cure Leukaemia ambassador, it means a lot to be able to use our platform on the pitch to shine a spotlight on blood cancer research. Seeing what Blair and Sarah went through brings home exactly why the charity’s work is so vital. Cricket brings us together as competitors, but causes like this unite us as people. Displaying our support on our bats during the test match at Trent Bridge is a small gesture, but we hope it helps raise awareness and crucial funds for patients across the UK.”

Blair and Josh face each other in the third test match at Trent Bridge proudly displaying their support for Cure Leukaemia on their bats.

Beyond the boundary ropes, the impact of Cure Leukaemia is directly felt by patients in local communities. At Nottingham City Hospital, the charity funds a dedicated clinical research nurse who plays an indispensable role in delivering pioneering clinical trials. These specialist research nurses act as critical navigators for blood cancer patients, guiding them through long-term treatment processes, managing study protocols, and providing vital emotional support.

By funding these positions, Cure Leukaemia enables the local haematology research team to rapidly open and run trials for rare diseases and advanced cases, giving patients access to innovative, life-saving therapies that extend far beyond standard care.