Chance to Shine reaches 1.5million milestone One and a half million school children have now benefited from Chance to Shine the campaign to educate children in state schools through cricket - the Cricket Foundation announced today (17th August). Against the backdrop of the national debate on school sport, the charity is celebrating the success of its programme, which links cricket clubs and coaches to local schools, with a 'Chance to Shine Awareness Day' at Lord's. The day celebrates the campaign continuing to lead the way in providing competitive sporting opportunities for children in state schools and helping them to lead active and healthy lifestyles. The Cricket Foundation is organising a range of activities throughout the second day of the England v South Africa Test. Working in partnership with Marylebone Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board, the charity will use the day to promote the campaign and raise necessary funds for Chance to Shine. The charity will be giving out Chance to Shine wristbands around the ground and collecting voluntary £1 donations. Chance to Shine ties will be on sale from the Lord's Shop. Supporters can also buy a seat, via BT MyDonate, on the Chance to Shine 'supporters stadium' at www.chancetoshine.org. In 2012, around 350,000 boys and girls will play competitive cricket as a result of Chance to Shine supported by Brit Insurance. The programme costs £5million a year -£15 per child - and the charity is on course to reach the initial target of two million children in a third of state schools by 2015. Wasim Khan, Chief Executive of the Cricket Foundation said: "Since 2005 Chance to Shine has blazed a trail in school sport. It's not a case of putting down independent schools, but bringing up state schools and we believe Chance to Shine is a model that other major sports could follow." "However, we know that there is still much work to be done and we will continue to strive to bring cricket and its educational benefits to thousands more youngsters in state schools in the future." Manage Cookie Preferences