Australia's women's team will donate for boundaries scored during their World T20 campaign – and encourage others to join #Runs4Rio
Southern Stars pledge Paralympic support
The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars now have even more incentive to score big during the Women's World T20.
As they battle for their fourth consecutive title, the Southern Stars players will also be doing their bit to help send the Australian Paralympic Team to the Paralympics in Rio this September.
The players have dubbed their campaign #Runs4Rio and for every four and six they score during the tournament in India, the 15-player Southern Stars squad will donate $50 to the cause.
"We're looking to get behind the Australian Paralympic Team because they need $7 million to send their entire team to Rio," Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell said.
"We've benefitted from greater support over the years especially from Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association and it we know how much it gets us get to a tournament like this.
"We're here to win and we want to make sure our Paralympic team gets to Rio and wins lots of gold medals for Australia."
Australia have a target of scoring at least 15 boundaries in every Twenty20 match they play and if they achieve their goal of reaching – and winning – yet another tournament final, that could see a hefty sum heading towards their campaign.
"Our team target is to hit at least 15 boundaries per game so we estimate that by the end of this tournament, and we're going to go right through to final, we'll raise at least $5000."
The Southern Stars now hope to see fans and other national sporting teams jump behind them and support their campaign by making their own pledge.
"Anyone can get behind Runs for Rio," Blackwell added.
"We're hoping to encourage other national teams to get behind and pledge whatever they want per boundary we hit to go towards the Paralympic team.
"To get behind it just tune in and watch our matches, tally up how many runs we're hitting and we'll give you a running tally as we go.
"People can pledge whatever they want per boundary, whether it's $1 or $50 like us, and by the end of the tournament hopefully they're pledging plenty of money."
To jump on board, tweet @SouthernStars with your pledge and use the hashtags #Runs4Rio to support the cause and #WhosNext to encourage others to follow your lead.
Donations to the Australian Paralympic Team can be made here.