The McGrath Foundation, Cricket Australia and the SCG want to thank everyone around Australia and overseas who have purchased Virtual Pink Seats to help make the 14th Vodafone Pink Test the ‘pinkest’ Ashes ever.

More than 250,000 Virtual Pink Seats have been sold, raising over $5m to help fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses across Australia.

The McGrath Foundation set the goal of selling 240,000 Virtual Pink Seats, the virtual equivalent of selling out the SCG over five days of the Pink Test but smashed this goal and beat the record for the largest sporting crowd at the SCG and indeed the biggest sporting crowd recorded in Australia.

The total Virtual Pink Seats sold is more than three times the record for the largest sporting crowd at the SCG which is 78,056 at the Rugby League Grand final between St George and South Sydney Rabbitohs in 1965, and more than double the biggest sporting crowd recorded in Australia, which was 121,696 at the 1970 AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Co-Founder & President of the McGrath Foundation, Glenn McGrath, is in awe of the overwhelming support the McGrath Foundation receives each year at the Pink Test.

“We’re so proud that after 14 years, the Pink Test has become an iconic part of cricket, and the Australian summer. This year support has come from the SCG, from those at home, those stuck in ‘iso’ and even from overseas. Everyone has helped to make this the ‘pinkest’ Ashes by buying their Virtual Pink Seats and supporting our incredible McGrath Breast Care Nurses.”

“The Virtual Pink Seats sold during the Pink Test will help the McGrath Foundation support over 3,600 individuals and families experiencing breast cancer this year. The Pink Test remains an integral part of our funding each year. McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide invaluable physical, psychological, and emotional support, from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to our partners at Cricket Australia and the SCG who deliver this incredible event each year, and of course the Australian community and those overseas who have helped us reach our goal of making this the ‘pinkest’ Ashes ever,” said McGrath.

Cricket Australia chief executive officer Nick Hockley said he is extremely proud and grateful for the generous support from the community during the Vodafone Ashes Pink Test.

“Thank you to every single person who has donated to the McGrath Foundation to help reach this ground-breaking target,” said Hockley.

“The money raised will help the McGrath Foundation fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses around Australia to provide invaluable support that will make a real difference to people impacted by breast cancer and their families.”

Venues NSW CEO, Kerrie Mather said, “It’s been an outstanding New Year’s Test with a real highlight being the coming together of SCG patrons and those watching at home to show their incredible support for the McGrath Foundation.

“To set a new fundraising record to help fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities around the country is an unbelievable achievement that everyone should be extremely proud of,” said Mather.

If you haven’t got your Virtual Pink Seats there are still some available, as well as lots of other ways to continue supporting the McGrath Foundation at pinktest.com.au, including:

• Buying a virtual Pink Seat and sharing via #IveGotMine #PinkestAshes #PinkTest
• Bidding in the Pink Test Auction, including Pink Test memorabilia, like pink baggies signed by both teams
• Bringing some of the Pink Test magic home by hosting a Pink Stumps Day in your community
• Making a donation online

About the McGrath Foundation

The McGrath Foundation raises funds to support people with breast cancer by providing specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses where they are most needed across Australia.

The Foundation currently funds 171 McGrath Breast Care Nurses who provide essential physical and emotional support free of charge to anyone experiencing breast cancer and their families from diagnosis and throughout their treatment.

About the Vodafone Pink Test partnership

The McGrath Foundation is the official charity partner of the Vodafone Pink Test and Cricket Cares, Cricket Australia’s community action program.

Now in its 14th year, the Vodafone Pink Test has become a national phenomenon. It is the largest sporting fundraising initiative in Australia where Cricket Australia and the wider cricket community, both on and off the field, wear pink as a symbolic show of support for those experiencing breast cancer and raise much needed funds for the McGrath Foundation.