Ruth Strauss Foundation
2076. Andrew Strauss
Sir Andrew Strauss, from London, is the former England cricket captain who set up the ‘Ruth Strauss Foundation’ in memory of his wife, who died in 2018 from an incurable lung cancer that affects non-smokers.
Ruth wanted to use her own family’s experience to change the help for grieving families and ensure easy access to emotional aid. Founded in 2019, the charity supports research into lung cancer and helps families preparing for the death of a parent.
Over the last four years, Sir Andrew, through the foundation, has raised funds and awareness of the condition. So far, the foundation has met a number of its aims in providing pre-bereavement counselling for children and partners, training for healthcare professionals and peer-to-peer support networks.
Every year the charity holds a #RedforRuth Day at an International Test Match to raise awareness, with this year’s event taking place on the second day of the England-Australia Men’s Ashes Test at Lord’s, where players and fans marked the occasion by wearing red.
Sir Andrew Strauss was presented with his Point of Light award by the Prime Minister at Lord’s Cricket Ground, during the Ashes cricket match, where more than £500,000 has been raised for the ‘Ruth Strauss Foundation’ during this Test.
In a personal letter to Sir Andrew, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:
” Red for Ruth Day has become an established part of the cricketing calendar and a special chance every year for the cricketing world to come together in support of families facing grief.
“Through the Ruth Strauss Foundation you are providing invaluable help to those with facing terminal and life-limiting illnesses, and for their families in preparing for such a devastating loss. You are also driving vital further research into non-smoking lung cancers, which so tragically affect thousands of people every year.
“Inspired by Ruth’s own vision, you have built a truly wonderful legacy that is helping so many other families across our country and far beyond.”
See more about ‘the Ruth Strauss Foundation’
(Sir Andrew is pictured with the Prime Minister. Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street)