England and Surrey cricket legend Alec Stewart is calling on Surrey Championship cricket clubs to get behind a new charitable initiative.

The cricketing world will be turning blue on August 22 on "Blue Bails Day", and Stewart wants club cricket to get involved.

The pilot programme is part of the joint Cricket United appeal between the UK’s three leading cricket charities, The Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine and PCA Benevolent Fund.

Since 2013, they have joined forces for an annual awareness day at the Kia Oval to raise funds and help improve lives through cricket.

Blue Bails Day will take place during the fifth Investec Ashes Test between England and Australia.

Surrey CCC and England & Wales Cricket Board are supporting the charity day, while England sponsors and cricket fans will once again help to turn the ground blue.

For the first time, as part of a pilot scheme, the Cricket United charities are extending their fundraising activity beyond the Kia Oval, on the same day, to Surrey cricket clubs involved in ECB’s Premier League.

All Ryman Surrey Championship clubs will have the opportunity to turn their bails, clubhouses and supporters blue for the day - just as fans will be doing at the Kia Oval.

Speaking at the launch of the Blue Bails Day pilot, Surrey’s director of cricket Stewart said: “Cricket United brings together the cricket community to raise valuable funds for three charities close to my heart: The Lord’s Taverners, Chance to Shine and PCA Benevolent Fund.

“Blue Bails Day is a fantastic way for members of Surrey cricket clubs to show their support and raise money, both for the charities and also for their own clubs.

"I’d urge as many of them as possible to back Blue Bails Day and help improve lives through cricket.”

Clubs in the Surrey Championship can register via the league’s official website - surreychampionship.pitchero.com – and download their Blue Bails Day starter pack.

Clubs are required to pay a minimum donation of £100 fee to take part in the scheme, with any funds raised on the day to be used at the club’s discretion.

Each club will receive a set of blue bails, courtesy of Gray Nichols, and a free supply of hot beverages and alcoholic drinks to help with their fundraising day.

All clubs that register for Blue Bails Day will automatically be entered into a prize draw to win a visit from a former England or county cricketer to their club.

Last year, the cricket community helped raise £65,000 for Cricket United from the awareness day at the Kia Oval.

The funds were split evenly between the three charities and helped improve many lives through cricket.