Cricketer's fundraising effort for autism charity

MACC founder Moin Ashraf played professionally for Yorkshire and Northamptonshire

A former Yorkshire cricket player says he is hoping to help create a more "autism-aware" world after his experiences with his "little gem" of a son.

Moin Ashraf, 33 a former pace bowler for Yorkshire and Northamptonshire, says his non-verbal six-year-old son Ibrahim has inspired him to raise money for the National Autistic Society (NAS).

Ashraf is set to hold the inaugural awards for his MACC Academy, which offers winter coaching programmes for young cricketers, with the event raising funds for NAS.

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan is guest speaker at the event at Headingley Stadium, with the awards also helping to fund a MACC scholarship scheme for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

"To see the challenges as a parent of having an autistic child and what we want to do - what I want to do personally - is to create a more autism-aware world," Ashraf, from Bradford, said.

"The National Autistic Society is do a fantastic job and we really want to support the work that they're doing."

A winter coaching programme established by Ashraf has expanded to 15 academies across the North

"Ibrahim is a wonderful kid and I want to be the best dad that I can be to him," he said.

"I think this is quite fitting to have a portion of our funds go to the charity."

The winter coaching programme has expanded to 15 academies across the North of England, including in Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and Hull.

Discussing Vaughan's attendance as guest speaker at the event on Monday, Ashraf said: "To have someone of that stature, a former Ashes-winning captain with the Ashes around the corner, is amazing.

"It's a sell-out - we've got a star-studded line-up and we have people really supporting the cause."

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