Sir Vivian Richards Foundation launched

The Sir Vivian Richards Foundation was launched in Viv's native Antigua on Saturday night (April 10), with a gala dinner at the Crystal Palace Ballroom at the Royal Antiguan Hotel.

More than 300 guests attended the launch, with the proceeds going to the Foundation. There was also a raffle and a memorabilia auction - with a bat signed by the West Indian and England players from the current series - which helped ensure that the Foundation got off to a healthy start.

The Foundation, which is licensed in Antigua & Barbuda, will promote self-awareness among the youth and will help young people, particularly among the under-privileged, achieve their goals. Sir Vivian said that assistance would not be limited to the youth of Antigua& Barbuda.

Sir Vivian, one of cricket's all-time greats and now the chairman of the West Indies selectors, was on hand at the function, which was billed as "An Evening with Sir Vivian Richards and Other Cricketing Greats". One of the highlights was a question-and-answer session involving Viv and his great friend and former Somerset team-mate Ian Botham.