Glenn McGrath’s children could one day take the reigns of his breast cancer charity

Fast bowling superstar Glen McGrath says his children could one day take the reigns of his enormously successful breast cancer charity more than a decade after their mother Jane’s death.

Fast bowling superstar Glen McGrath says his children could one day take the reigns of his enormously successful breast cancer charity more than a decade after their mother Jane’s death.

On the eve of the 11th Pink Test at the SCG, the 48-year-old has told The Daily Telegraph in an exclusive interview of his astonishment at the annual fundraiser’s success as Australia prepares to battle India dressed in pink in a must-win clash.

McGrath’s two children with Jane — James, 18, and Holly, 17 — who are looking more and more like their much loved mum — will attend the match which is named after her as they have done since losing her to breast cancer in 2008.

Glenn McGrath with wife Sara and kids James, Holly and Maddison. Picture: Tim Hunter.

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“I think it’s a great legacy for them with their mum (to be) making such a positive difference to peoples lives,” McGrath said.

“It’s a special day, it’s more about a celebration rather than anything else. That’s what I’ve always wanted and I know Jane would’ve wanted it to be that way too.

“Who knows what the future holds, I think there is potential there for them to get involved more.”

McGrath — the most successful fast bowler in test history — met England-born flight attendant Jane Steele in a Hong Kong nightclub while on tour in 1995.

Ten years later, following Jane’s diagnosis with cancer, the couple founded the McGrath Foundation to raise money for breast care nurses. Now, on the third day of every Sydney test match, players and fans wear pink in a show of support.

McGrath’s second wife Sara, who he married in 2010, and their young daughter Madison, 3 are also keen attendees and supporters of this cause.

The cricket great has credited Sara, a successful interior designer and art dealer, with helping getting his life back on track after Jane’s death.

“For me, it’s about family — all of my family come down from the bush to this test match,” he said.

McGrath said there was “potential” for his children to get involved more in the future. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“Sara comes along, James and Holly and our little daughter Madison who’s 3. It’s about family and hope — they’re the two things that are important,” he said.

The Pink Test has grown to become the biggest sporting fundraiser in the country, and last year raised more than $1 million to fund 10 more breast care nurses.

This year the McGrath Foundations hopes to raise $2.1 million to fund 15 McGrath Breast Care Nurses for a year — its biggest and most ambitious fundraising goal ever.

Donations to the foundation have allowed more than 120 nurses to support 67,000 families ravaged by cancer since 2005.

McGrath, who has been working as a cricket commentator this summer, admits he only expected the Pink Test to last about five years.

“To think it’s now 11 years in is absolutely incredible — we went up to six and seven and thought it might start tapering off, but it just seems to get bigger and better every year,” he said.

“I think something very special has been created. I can’t think of any other sporting events that have teamed up with a charity and created something like this.”

For McGrath, the day is more about families affected by cancer and breast care nurses as opposed to only Jane.

In Australia, 18,000 women and 150 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, or 50 people every day.

After sharing his story, McGrath said many people felt comfortable confiding in him their troubles with cancer after learning of his own journey.

“I talk to a lot of people who have been through it or who are going through it,” he said.

“A lot of people who have had the support of a McGrath breast care nurse, they come up and say what a positive difference it’s made in their lives and that in itself makes me realise what we’re doing is having a big positive effect and inspires me to keep going.

“It’s not just about the person going through breast cancer, it’s about the whole family. For guys, it’s hard for them to have an outlet or a release.”

Originally published as Glenn McGrath’s children could one day take the reigns of his breast cancer charity