BENEFIT years were made for players like Rich Pyrah – cricketers who have not got near international recognition but have given their heart and soul to their county.

There have been many beneficiaries at Yorkshire down the years but the former Cleckheaton, Woodlands and Pudsey Congs all-rounder must be right up there in the popularity stakes when it comes to those who have been honoured.

Pyrah has been associated with the county club since he was 12 and although his professional career has been far from a walk in the park, he has still had plenty of days to remember.

A Roses century at Headingley in 2011, becoming the first Englishman to reach 100 wickets in Twenty20 cricket last year and taking the catch that sealed County Championship glory are just a few of them.

Now 32-year-old Pyrah has been rightly honoured by the White Rose county – and at his first event, a supporters' dinner at Headingley, he announced that he aims to raise £3,000 for refurbishments at Leeds Children's Hospital.

"When you are growing up playing, you never think that you are going to get to this stage in the game, but it's a massive year for myself and my family," he said.

"My first involvement with Yorkshire was at 12 years old, when I played a year young at under-13 level. It seems a long time ago now and, although I don't feel old, it makes me feel a bit older when you look back at things like that."

Pyrah, very much a senior player at Headingley these days and with coaching aspirations in the future, has a big year ahead of him – on and off the field.

Juggling benefit years and furthering his game can't be an easy task but it is something he is confident of doing.

He said: "You've got to find a balance. I've purposely not put on too many events during the summer. I've tried to make sure I give myself a good chance with my cricket."

Pyrah's main benefit events are a corporate dinner at Headingley on Friday, March 6, with county colleague Tim Bresnan, former Leeds United and England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn and Leeds Rhinos and England rugby league star Danny Maguire, and a 'Ten Years On From The 2005 Ashes' dinner at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Thursday, June 4.

The main aim of 2015, however, has got to be Yorkshire's defence of the Championship title.

"We're very passionate about winning it again and starting to show a lot of consistency," said Pyrah.

"Especially, we want to win it for Galey (skipper Andrew Gale). He was heartbroken not being able to lift the trophy last season (due to suspension). Winning it for him would be very special."