Why Runs4Research Still Matters More Than Ever
There’s something beautifully simple about Run For Research. You don’t run a marathon. You don’t shave your head. You don’t shake a bucket outside Tesco. You just play cricket — and your runs and wickets quietly turn into money for Alzheimer’s Research.
That idea, dreamed up in 2021 by Jake Burton, has now raised over £67,000. And yet, as Jake admitted on The Overthrow this week, it still feels like the surface hasn’t been scratched.
The concept is straightforward. Sign up at the start of the season. Every run you score is worth 5p. Every wicket costs you 50p. Play Premier League cricket, village cricket, Sunday friendlies, juniors, or midweek T20s — it all counts. Run For Research tracks the stats. You just watch your donation creep up as the season rolls on.
Over five seasons, participation rocketed early — from 250 players to nearly 900 — before settling around the 700 mark in recent years. What’s striking is this: even with fewer players, the total raised has plateaued around £15,000 per season. That’s not failure. That’s consistency. But it also hints at huge untapped potential.
As Ian pointed out on the show, over 7,500 players appeared in Premier League cricket alone last season. Nearly 4,000 played ten games or more. The average Run For Research donation per player? About £20. Do the maths. Even modest uptake would transform the totals.
And that’s the key point Jake keeps coming back to — this isn’t about big cheques. Some players donate £70 or £80 after standout seasons. Others chip in a tenner and top it up later. Either way, nobody’s being asked to do anything different. You bat. You bowl. You field. The donation is simply a consequence of playing the game you were going to play anyway.
The cause, of course, makes it personal. Run For Research was founded after the death of Jake’s grandfather, who lived with Alzheimer’s. As with most families, that story resonates. Almost everyone listening will have a parent, grandparent, or close friend touched by dementia in some way. That’s why the model works — it’s relatable, it’s personal, and it feels earned.
Some clubs have fully embraced it. Multi-team outfits regularly field 30+ participants a season, generating £500 or more each year. Others might only have five or six players involved — but even that matters. On Run For Research matchdays, it’s not unusual to see both teams packed with contributors, knowing that nearly every run and wicket that day feeds directly into the cause.
One of the most powerful endorsements came from the professional game. England and Kent batter Sam Billings signed up after a chance conversation — and went further, pledging 50p per run rather than the standard 5p. He didn’t need to. But his involvement gave the project credibility and momentum at exactly the right moment.
CHECK OUT ALL THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFERS HERE
Looking ahead to 2026, there are changes coming. Players will receive more regular updates during the season, with clearer links to the JustGiving page so donations can be spread monthly rather than landing in one lump sum at the end. Ten pounds a month feels very different to a £60 bill in September — even though it’s the same money.
There’s also a wider challenge. Run For Research doesn’t need everyone. It just needs more someones. One or two players per club. One pro per county. A few juniors whose parents want to turn Saturday morning cricket into something meaningful.
£100,000 raised isn’t a pipe dream. Two strong £20,000 seasons gets it done. And all of it comes from people doing what they already love: playing cricket.
So if you’re reading this and wondering whether it’s “worth it” — it is. If you’re thinking £20 doesn’t make a difference — it does. And if your club hasn’t talked about a charity focus for the season yet, this might be the easiest decision you make all year.
Play cricket. Score runs. Take wickets. Let the rest take care of itself.
The BIG FAT Premier League Cricket Club Survey 2026
